text: Chapter 3
  * Individuals have meaningful and timely access to an effective and impartial legal system.
  * The state protects human rights and fundamental freedoms.
  * Individuals rely on existing legal institutions and the law during their daily lives.
  3-101. The rule of law means that all persons, institutions, and entities, including the state itself, are
  accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced, independently adjudicated, and
  consistent with international human rights principles. The rule of law is more than a safe and secure
  environment. It requires the security of individuals and institutions and accountability for crimes.
  3-102. Commanders executing stability tasks must decide how to address host-nation corruption they
  encounter. Corruption undermines the rule of law, tending to turn public service into a means to private,
  illegitimate gain. This weakens the value of merit within the government. Even so, many societies have
  developed forms of corruption that are entrenched and culturally acceptable. For example, public officials
  may be expected to supplement the incomes of low-wage workers illegitimately. Though not ideal, the rule
  of law can still develop in the presence of some level of corruption. Anticorruption efforts should address
  significant impediments to the rule of law while aiming for achievable results within the societal context.
  3-103. An integrated effort across many partners (such as DOS, Department of Justice, DOD, and
  USAID) focusing on rule of law capabilities remains critical. Rule of law activities within the DOD and
  Army should be synchronized at all echelons of command. Uncoordinated rule of law activities may risk
  lives, often incur excessive costs due to waste and poor management, and may not actually promote the rule
  of law. Just as units need unity of command, the rule of law effort needs a clear mission, a designated
  leader, and a clear structure.
  3-104. Building public confidence requires planning, preparing, and executing the transfer of
  responsibility for rule of law programs from the military to national or international civilian organizations
  or to the host-nation government. This transfer often proves to be a difficult and complex transition. Failure
  to ensure continuity of the rule of law effort throughout all transition phases threatens the safety and
  security of the local populace, erodes the legitimacy of the host nation, and impedes long-term development
  potential. Such failure renders achieving the desired end state highly improbable. Accordingly, a daunting
  obstacle is the extensive influence of illicit power structures in many ethnic or factional communities. Thus,
  establishing a secure environment with respect to the rule of law should proceed in tandem with other
  institution-building activities. Once progress is made in these areas, essential civilian-led measures to shape
  societal values and attitudes toward the rule of law and to build in safeguards against abuse have a much
  better chance to succeed in the long term.
  3-105. In both permissive and nonpermissive environments, judge advocates prepare to take primary
  responsibility within the staff to coordinate with host-nation legal, ministry of defense, and security force
  personnel. In nonpermissive environments, judge advocates also prepare to take primary responsibility for
  supporting host-nation criminal and civil judicial systems and processes.
  3-106. Rule of law activities are broad categories of actions designed to support host-nation institutional
  capacity, human capacity, functional effectiveness, and popular acceptance of a legal system and related
  government areas. This includes both civil and criminal law activities. Broad categories of rule of law
  activities include—
  * The criminal justice system.
  * Law enforcement.
  * Judicial systems and processes.
  * Corrections.
  * The civil judicial system.
  * Anticorruption.
  * Elections.
  * Detention.
  * Transitional military authority and military governance.
  * Transitional justice.
  * Coordination with host-nation leaders.