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

Ethiopia

Impact by Regions,
Countries & Territories
Africa

In Ethiopia, at the federal level, UNDP provides policy and technical support to the Federal Supreme Court. In 2022, it extended the support to the Offices of the Attorney General in Oromiya and Somali regions with an overall aim of strengthening justice institutions to increase service delivery to the people through accessible, affordable and efficient justice systems.

One of the impediments to justice delivery in Ethiopia has been the lack of information sharing and non-reporting of crimes to government departments for investigation and prosecution. To address this, UNDP invested in strengthening partnerships between civil society organizations (CSOs) and justice institutions. To encourage strategic dialogue, UNDP organized a workshop bringing together 30 representatives from eight CSOs and from the Office of the Attorney General in Oromiya region on the prevention and reporting of sexual and gender-based violence. This dialogue engaged eleven women from women’s associations or CSOs operating in the region.

In both Oromiya and Somali regions, 400 prosecutors and police officers received training on human rights standards in the investigation and prosecution of sexual and gender-based crimes and crimes against children.

As the project continues, the collaboration among national stakeholders will be critical to support the survivors who report violations, while allowing justice institutions to take measures for increased accountability. In addition, UNDP is exploring the ways to expand its existing collaboration with UN Women in both regions for sexual and gender-based violence prevention and reporting.

Leave No One Behind

In Oromiya region, to increase access to justice for the vulnerable population, UNDP supported the translation of major laws into Afan Oromo, the official working language of the region, from Amharic, the federal working language. In Somali region, ten international human rights conventions were translated into Somali language. In addition, UNDP facilitated trainings for 170 senior judges and prosecutors (including 21 women) in Somali region to enhance their knowledge and understanding about the investigation and prosecution of sexual and gender-based crimes.

Gender equality

Capacitation of women, their inclusion and participation in policy development and mainstreaming gender in the work of the Offices of the Attorney General remain among the primary objectives of the project. However, realization of these objectives has been significantly impacted by the fact that, in both regions, women are underrepresented in justice institutions. Despite these challenges, UNDP continues to work closely with both offices to ensure that available female staff are given opportunities to participate in the project activities.

Integrated response

Oromiya and Somali regions are among the key beneficiaries of the “Regional Engagement Framework”, a UNDP flagship project in Ethiopia. Considering that some activities under this flagship programme have a component on democratic governance and participation, the team works in an integrated manner through a portfolio approach to streamline and maximize development initiatives on justice and the rule of law. Under UNDP’s leadership, five UN agencies (UNICEF, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, UN Women, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the UN Human Rights Office), have been working with Ethiopian justice institutions to undertake a Rapid Justice Assessment exercise covering the entire country (except Tigray). The aim of that process is to determine challenges and opportunities facing the justice sector and provide a comprehensive roadmap for the UN support to the justice sector in Ethiopia. The project, supported by the Global Programme, provides a much-needed platform for future engagements in this area. Working with a diverse range of units and portfolios within UNDP and other partners has ensured that the activities planned for different projects are aligned and maximized, and synergies are exploited to enhance the impact.

  1. Commercial Code of Ethiopia; Expropriation of Land holdings for Public Purposes; Payments of Compensation and Resettlement, Expropriation and Valuation; Compensation and Resettlement Council of Ministers Regulation; Prevention and Suppression of Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Persons; and Firearm Administration and Control.

  2. Including Universal Declaration of Human Rights; International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights; International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; Child Rights Convention; Convention Against Torture; Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women and Ethiopian Hate Speech Proclamation.

Key
results
  • UNDP’s support to the Offices of the Attorney General in Oromiya and Somali regions helped strengthen their capacity for service delivery.
  • UNDP brokered strategic dialogue between civil society organizations and justice institutions to facilitate information sharing and build trust on the prevention and reporting of sexual and gender-based violence.
  • 400 prosecutors and police officers received training on human rights standards in the investigation and prosecution of sexual and gender-based crimes and crimes against children.