A functioning legal system and respect for the law is essential in any modern country, and the Institute supports the efforts of organizations and individuals who advance the rule of law in Russia. President Medvedev has spoken about ending legal nihilism in Russia and the Institute supports him in these efforts. Despite having laws that are inherent to a modern society, Russia needs practice respecting those laws in daily legal proceedings. The Institute sponsors events that highlight rule-of-law efforts in Russia as well as events that include experts who debate methods of achieving fair treatment under the law.
There is no dispute that rule of law is a prerequisite to Russia’s modernization program. However, despite President Medvedev’s speeches and verbal commitments to the rule of law, to further reforms of the judiciary and to the fight against corruption, no significant progress has been achieved. Although the Russian government has been supporting several programs designed to develop a concept of legal reform, civil society has not played a significant role in this process. IMR is currently considering several joint projects with leading U.S.-based NGOs, such as the Eurasia Foundation and Freedom House, whose expertise and research capabilities could contribute to the legal-reform debate in Russia and help engage representatives of Russian civil society, various NGOs and human rights groups to ensure their input.
