Rule of Law and Human
Rights Global Programme
Impact
Thematic focus
 = Global Focal Point

Africa

Arab states

Asia-Pacific

Europe and Central Asia

Latin America and the Caribbean

Justice Futures CoLab

The Justice Futures CoLab was launched to promote new ways of thinking and approaching complex justice and rule of law challenges. The CoLab illustrates UNDP’s commitment and strategy to do more and do better (and differently). A more strategic, people-centred and rights-based approach is taken to ensure meaningful access to justice for all, starting with those most at risk of being left behind.

Human rights systems

UNDP continues to support strengthening national human rights systems (NHRIs). Independent, effective and pluralistic NHRIs are cornerstones of national systems to promote and protect human rights.

Anti-racism

In 2021, after racial justice protests and movements emerged in the United States and other parts of the world, the United Nations and its various funds, programmes and other entities also took up a renewed commitment to fight against racism and racial discrimination both within the organization and also through their approaches.

Business and human rights

UNDP has been supporting the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) since 2016. This support has involved programming across the three pillars of the protect, respect and remedy framework, engaging with states, business actors and civil society.

Community security

The global context has become ever more challenging with ongoing war, coups d‘état, attempted coups d‘état, turmoil and instability in several countries. In the midst of such widespread political tension and fragility, UNDP has stayed the course towards people-centred security by promoting solutions that strengthen state institutions in line with people’s needs.

Global Focal Point for the Rule of Law

The UN Global Focal Point for the Rule of Law (GFP) is a joint arrangement for delivery of the rule of law in fragile settings. Co-chaired by UNDP and the UN Department of Peace Operations (DPO), GFP reinforces One-UN approach at the global and national levels to address violent conflicts, protect human rights and restore justice and security for people affected by crisis and conflict.

Regional overview - Africa

Regional overview

Impact by Regions,
Countries & Territories
Africa

Over the past decade, Africa has experienced consistent economic growth, leading to improvements in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employment opportunities and infrastructure development. There have also been positive social developments particularly in promoting gender equality, with women continuing to break the glass ceiling within the judiciary, marking significant progress towards achieving gender parity and inclusivity in decision-making positions. Other positive opportunities include the launch of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the world’s largest trading area since the establishment of the World Trade Organization.

However, to realize the opportunities promised in the AfCFTA, effective support should be provided for the successful implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). Within the African Union (AU), there is a growing recognition of the importance to address business and human rights (B+HR) issues. Even though regulations, policy, and their enforcement remain weak, the AU has the potential to play a crucial role in disseminating and fostering understanding among Member States.

Countries in Africa continue to face a range of economic, social, governance, environmental and human rights challenges, ranking among the weakest on rule of law, with a deteriorating human rights situation, rising authoritarian leadership, corruption, terrorism, instability and conflict. In 2022, economic growth slowed down to 3.6 percent. Combined with the shrinking civic space and infringement of minority rights, the ongoing governance and human rights challenges cannot be ignored.

While Africa is responsible for only four percent of global emissions, it is among the regions most affected by the devastating impacts of climate change. In 2022, Africa experienced severe droughts, famines, floods and cyclones, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. These climate-related challenges compound the region’s existing socio-economic vulnerabilities.

Despite these hurdles, progress has been made, and the support from the Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development (the Global Programme), combined with the Renewed Governance and Peacebuilding Framework for Africa addressed some of these issues and mitigated the adverse impacts.

Regional and country initiatives were implemented to integrate human rights and a people-centred approach into the judiciary, police and security services, elevate the B+HR agenda, support national human rights institutions (NHRIs), promote gender equality and tackle sexual and gender-based violence. In addition, the Global Programme provided targeted technical expertise and facilitated learning and knowledge sharing among the Country Offices.

Human rights: capacity building

UNDP supported the Fourth and Fifth Annual Forum for National Human Rights Institutions, which focused on B+HR, with emphasis on the implications of the AfCFTA, organized in partnership with the Network of African NHRIs (NANHRI) and the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR). More than 20 African NHRIs, amounting to over 100 participants, took part to exchange experiences supporting the work of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR), focusing on trade and B+HR. The NHRI Forum adopted the Declaration of the NHRIs on cooperation with ACHPR and integration of human rights principles in the AfCFTA.

In the aftermath of the police violence in 2021 in Eswatini, the Global Programme, by invitation of the Royal Eswatini Police Services supported a joint police scoping mission by UNDP, OHCHR, Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, Department of Peace Operations and the Standing Police Capacity of the UN Office of Rule of Law and Security Institutions. The mission's report had actionable recommendations on a human rights-based response to public order management. This joint UN integrated approach was identified as a good practice to promote the rule of law and strengthening civic space by working closely with the duty bearers.

In the Comoros, UNDP supported the NHRI in drafting the National Human Rights Strategy and Action Plan. In Zimbabwe, UNDP strengthened the capacity of the NGOs working on the rights of persons with disabilities to report to UN human rights mechanisms and raise issues at the UN Human Rights Council.

Furthering B+HR agenda

In 2022, UNDP strengthened cooperation with the AU on B+HR, organizing the first-ever sub-regional dialogues on National Action Plans (NAPs) in Western and Southern Africa, and supporting the capacity building of regional actors, such as the ACHPR, NANHRI and the African Coalition for Corporate Accountability. Support from the Governments of Japan and Switzerland enabled UNDP to advance the B+HR agenda across Africa.

UNDP co-hosted the first African Business and Human Rights Forum in Accra, Ghana, with over 1,500 participants (over half were women) representing governments, businesses, civil society and other stakeholders. UNDP collaborated with many partners, including the AU, OHCHR, GIZ in Africa and NANHRI. The event highlighted the interest and significant capacity across the continent to introduce responsible business practices and served as an impetus for Ghana and Senegal to publicly commit to developing their NAPs, bringing the total number of NAPs in existence or progress on the continent to ten.

UNDP published "A Baseline Assessment on Business and Human Rights in Africa: From the First Decade to the Next", taking stock of the progress and challenges in implementing the UNGPs in the region. The report will help attract the attention of states, the AU, civil society and the private sector to the BHR agenda and the importance of holding corporations accountable for human rights violations through identified strategic entry points.

Enhanced learning and knowledge sharing

A community of practice (CoP) on rule of law, security and human rights in Africa was established, with four discussions held in 2022: one introductory and three thematic on gender justice, women in the African judiciary and environmental justice. Through this new knowledge sharing platform, UNDP Country Offices in Mali and Liberia exchanged experiences on e-justice, and the Country Offices in The Gambia and the Central African Republic discussed good practices regarding implementing transitional justice initiatives.

Looking forward

UNDP will continue working closely with NHRIs across the region, supporting their establishment and strengthening their capacity in compliance with the Paris Principles. By reinforcing the independence and effectiveness of NHRIs, UNDP aims to advance human rights protection and accountability in Africa.

UNDP will continue with efforts, at country and regional levels, to strengthen justice and security institutions and systems to provide greater access to justice and more people-centred security, including through innovation and digital transformation.

Building on research undertaken in 2022, UNDP will promote women's meaningful participation and leadership in the judiciary, including supporting the first meeting of African Women in Judiciary in May 2023.

UNDP will strengthen its partnership with the AU to bolster its institutional framework on B+HR, including by co-hosting the second Forum on Business and Human Rights in September 2023. In addition, in June 2023, UNDP will support two sub-regional conferences, focusing on Eastern and Central Africa.

Lastly, UNDP will continue to facilitate knowledge exchanges through the CoP platform with sessions on constitution making, B+HR, e-justice and other priority areas identified by Country Offices.

  1. The AfCFTA promises broader and deeper economic integration the implementation of which is expected to lift 30 million Africans out of extreme poverty and boost the incomes of nearly 68 million others who live on less than $5.50 a day, boost Africa’s income by $450 billion by 2035 (a gain of 7 percent) while adding $76 billion to the income of the rest of the world, increase foreign direct investment (FDI) by between 111 percent and 159 percent under the AfCFTA. Implementation of the AfCFTA is further expected to reduce the poverty level, create employment opportunities, increase export rate, increase women’s income gain, cushion the negative effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, foster cooperation among Member States as well as promote good governance.

    The World Bank, “Free Trade Deal Boosts Africa's Economic Development”, (20 June 2022). Available at https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/trade/publication/free-trade-deal-boosts-africa-economic-development

  2. Down from 4.1 percent in 2021. See https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/afr/overview.

  3. World Justice Project, Rule of Law Index, (2022); Human Rights Watch, “Progress and Setbacks on LGBT Rights in Africa - An Overview of the Last Year” (22 June 2022). Available at https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/06/22/progress-and-setbacks-lgbt-rights-africa-overview-last-year and; CIVICUS, Monitor – Tracking Civic Space. Available at https://monitor.civicus.org/globalfindings/africa/. Intimidation, detention and attacks against journalists and human rights defenders, banning of protests, detention of protesters and protest disruption are the reported top civic rights violations.

  4. In countries such as Chad, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Uganda and others.

  5. Rising to $45-50bn by 2040. See https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/african-economic-conference-opens-strong-call-adaptation-measures-tackle-looming-climate-change-threat-africa-57293 and https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-africas-unreported-extreme-weather-in-2022-and-climate-change/.

  6. Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.