Impact by Regions, Countries & Territories

UNDP’s Global Programme supports crisis-affected contexts across all regions to strengthen the rule of law and human rights. In this section, we present five regional overviews, detailing our priorities and approach depending on the context, as well as feature select country and territory results from 2021.

Five contexts from the list (Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti, Mali and Yemen) illustrate the achievements of the Global Focal Point for the Rule of Law (GFP). In peacekeeping missions and transition settings, UNDP’s Global Programme works through the GFP to deliver integrated assistance with our UN partners.

GFP Global Focal Point Highlights

Burundi

In Burundi, UNDP supported mobile courts and legal aid services that enabled access to justice for approximately 17,000 individuals (including 5,000 women) living in remote places, survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), and returnees. In addition, UNDP provided technical and expert support to a Special Court on Land and Other Properties established in Burundi to consider land disputes fueled by socio-political conflicts that were sparking in the country since its independence. The Special Court considers the claims of returnees to help them reinstall their rights to land and property.

The network of community leaders and paralegals was established in Burundi with UNDP’s support, based on the understanding of the local context and needs, and with an ambition to reach the most vulnerable groups and individuals. Over 19,700 people in conflict situations, including 7,904 women, used the services of community leaders or paralegals. With their help, 8,158 cases were settled outside formal justice domain, contributing to a 41 percent reduction in cases introduced into the judicial circuit.

UNDP facilitated capacity building activities for 96 magistrates and police officers, including 37 women, that resulted in their improved knowledge on dealing with SGBV cases. Special hearings were introduced for SGBV-related cases. This innovation, along with the improved capacities of judicial actors, led to the faster and more efficient processing of SGBV cases. In 2021, the time taken to process SGBV cases was reduced by 35.8 percent.

UNDP supported the Inspection Department of the Ministry of Justice to conduct inspection and assessment visits to prisons. Joint advocacy campaign supported by civil society and other partners contributed to the conditional release of detainees and the 22 percent decrease in the number of individuals in pre-trial detention in 11 prisons throughout the country.

Key Results: Burundi

17,000 individuals (including 5,000 women) living in remote places, survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, and returnees received access to justice through UNDP-supported mobile courts and legal aid services.

Over 19,700 (including 7,904 women) used the services of community leaders or paralegals. 8,158 cases were settled outside formal justice domain.

Judicial backlog in land matters reduced by 41% percent in five provinces.

The number of individuals held in pre-trial detention reduced by 22% in 11 prisons throughout the country.