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

Nigeria

Impact by Regions,
Countries & Territories
Africa

In Nigeria, UNDP supports the long-term efforts of the authorities to build a more effective, efficient and professional police service, in accordance with human rights standards and the rule of law.

Partnerships

catalytic support

UNDP implements the project in partnership with a German non-governmental organization (NGO), the Global Security Sector Reform Foundation (GS-F), and under the leadership of the Office of the Chief of Staff of Nigeria and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). The financial support of UNDP’s Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development (the Global Programme) complements the funding received from the German Federal Foreign Ministry that has supported the police reform in Nigeria since December 2021.

As the government’s leading partner in the police reform process, UNDP in Nigeria exercises its convening function and brings together UN Women, UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) and international NGOs such as the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and the Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation (KAS), as well as donor partners to share information, discuss priorities and coordinate police reform efforts.

To ensure the police reform is effective, people-centred and sustainable, three areas of work have been prioritized:

Human rights

1. The Presidential Roadmap on Police Reform was approved and the Presidential Working Group (WG) on Police Reform was constituted with members from 15 government and civil society organizations including the police. Notably, the roadmap puts human rights at the core of the police reform, recognizing them fundamental for “maintaining public safety, protecting life and property and preventing crime.”

The Police Reform and Transformation Office (PORTO) was operationalized to spearhead the reform process. Comprised of policing experts from the Office of the Chief of Staff, legislative branch and the NPF, PORTO has successfully advocated for salary increases and welfare benefits across the police, and for the legislative measures to modernize the institution. Draft laws were developed to institutionalize Nigeria’s police academies which will allow them to attract funding. Additionally, internal and external communications strategies were developed.

Gender equality

non-discrimination

2. Police training standards were modernized and innovative approaches applied to enhance the capacity of 20 trainers (including five women) in the Central Planning and Training Unit (CPTU) and over 500 police trainers across the country – on gender equality and non-discrimination. Two key novelties in the curriculum design are human rights mainstreaming to prevent disproportionate use of force and the integration of a gender component to prevent violence against women and girls. UNDP and UN Women will work further with PORTO to lobby the adoption by the Nigerian police of the new gender guidelines developed by UN Women.

With the support of UNDP and the project partners, the CPTU received new equipment and its premises were refurbished. The project team commenced the assessment of all the police training facilities.

Ahead of the presidential elections in Nigeria, UNDP organized trainings for 180 zonal commanders (20 percent were women) from the police across the country and convened UN agencies and other partners to increase collaboration on elections security.

3. Funding from the Global Programme allowed catalytic work to begin to strengthen political, civilian and internal oversight mechanisms to promote the accountability and transparency of the police.

Through a workshop that took place early 2023, UNDP collaborated with OHCHR and UNODC to advocate for addressing the complaints of police misconduct in the run-up to the elections. OHCHR and UNODC are working with the police and the Police Service Commission to enhance internal and external accountability with the support of the Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) and the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).

Further opportunities for collaboration are being discussed, including for the approval of the Police Regulations (linked to the 2020 Police Act) which will have an important bearing on accountability and updating the police code of conduct. Once approved, the regulations will considerably improve the welfare of women police officers, as a number of discriminatory provisions will be abolished. In addition, UNDP will focus on capacity building among senior and mid-rank police officers and implementing pilot community policing initiatives.

Key
results
  • The Presidential Roadmap on Police Reform was approved and the Presidential Working Group (WG) on Police Reform was established.
  • The Police Reform and Transformation Office (PORTO) has successfully advocated for the salary increases and welfare benefits across the police and for the legislative measures to modernize the institution.
  • Police training standards were modernized and innovative approaches applied to enhance the capacity of over 500 police trainers across the country on human rights mainstreaming, gender equality and non-discrimination.

  1. The presidential elections in Nigeria took place in February 2023.