Across the world, the rule of law is under pressure. Institutions designed to safeguard accountability, protect rights, and uphold democratic values are facing increasing strain. That's why we have launched our new strategy.

IRLI Supporting Financial Crime Investigation and Asset Recovery in Zambia

In Zambia, judges and magistrates are strengthening how courts respond to victims and vulnerable witnesses through trauma-informed, rights-based judicial practice.

Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI) is working with justice sector partners in Zambia to improve access to justice by bringing court hearings directly into correctional facilities.

Across Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia, IRLI works alongside justice institutions to strengthen trauma-informed practice, improve coordination, and remove barriers to access — so justice protects, not harms.

Seven senior Ukrainian judges have completed a high-level judicial exchange to Ireland, as Ukraine’s justice system continues to function under the strain of more than three years of full-scale Russian invasion.

The former president of Ireland, Dr Mary McAleese, has delivered a searing critique of the global political climate, warning that democracy, human rights and the rule of law are under grave threat from “warmongering talk” and the rise of undemocratic leaders.

Judge Beti Hohler warned that sanctions and warrants against ICC officials could erode the rule of law worldwide.

Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI) is delighted to announce that the Lady Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, Dame Siobhan Keegan, has been appointed as our new co-patron.

As part of our ongoing Lawyer Abroad series, we spoke with Pat de Brún, an Irish human rights lawyer currently based in London. Pat serves as Head of Big Tech Accountability and Deputy Director of Amnesty Tech, Amnesty International’s global programme on technology and human rights. His path has taken him from Carlow to Cambodia, Berlin and beyond, working on everything from international criminal justice to grassroots activism and tech accountability. Pat reflects on his career, his motivations and the urgent challenges facing the human rights field today.

For the latest in our series profiling key partner organisations in IRLI's network, working in countries around the world, we caught up with Marko Lehto, Team Leader in the EU Access to Justice Programme. He shares insights into his career and the programme’s objectives. With a background in supporting prisoners’ rights in Finland and extensive experience in human rights and rule of law initiatives, he now oversees technical assistance for Chilungamo.

IRLI’s ongoing work in Zambia includes different access to justice programmes, one of which is helping to decongest the country’s seriously overcrowded prisons.