The Defense Institute of International Legal Studies (DIILS) has developed a new course, focused on building the capacity of the Congolese military justice system.  The new Basic Magistrate Course is a collaboration between DIILS and senior Congolese magistrates, the United Nations, the U.S. Department of State and the international law community.

This course aims to develop basic magistrate skills.  The DIILS team spent two weeks meeting with senior Congolese magistrates and members of the international community to identify their needs, challenges and capacity.  Team member Chief (SCW) Mike Rusinas, USN, said, “The main goal was to access the capacity of the Congolese magistrate community, get inputs and develop a course schedule.  DIILS and the Congolese magistrates have been writing material and developing this course for almost a year, and it’s good to see the final product come to life.”

The inaugural four-week course is scheduled to take place in 2015.  DIILS looks forward to strengthening its excellent seven-year long collaboration with the FARDC, the U.S. State Department, the United Nations and other members of the international community on a long-term rule of law project that will enhance Congolese military justice capacity and raise awareness of the law of armed conflict and international human rights norms across the FARDC.