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

Djibouti

Impact by Regions,
Countries & Territories
Arab States

In Djibouti, the Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development supports the advancement of human rights through their inclusion in Djibouti’s economic growth model.

Innovation

This project constitutes a starting point to launch the Business and Human Rights (B+HR) agenda in the country and target human rights advancement through the lens of economic development and SDGs. With this human rights-based intervention, UNDP intends to contribute to boosting economic growth and investments in Djibouti.

UNDP Djibouti started the project implementation by raising awareness of national counterparts on business and human rights. UNDP supported the participation of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice and the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Djibouti in the African Business and Human Rights Forum held in Accra in October 2022. The engagement allowed the representatives of these strategic entities to discuss the B+HR agenda with their counterparts from other countries, increase knowledge of best practices and therefore initiate the B+HR agenda in Djibouti.

Human rights

Gender equality

At the next stage, UNDP will convene more national counterparts and set the ground for the implementation of the core activities: a baseline assessment and the development of a National Action Plan to further the B+HR agenda in Djibouti. The purpose of the baseline assessment is to measure the accessibility and enjoyment of human rights essential to achieve Djibouti’s development goals, and to identify factors empowering men and women to drive change for development and diversified economy. The baseline assessment with inclusive and participatory consultations was scheduled for April 2023.

Partnerships

The National Commission for Human Rights and the Ministry of Justice, in charge of human rights, were selected as UNDP’s focal points in this project in strong cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce (for the private sector). More stakeholders including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labor and civil society will be engaged as partners and for participation in roundtables and workshops organized around the baseline assessment and the discussions around the National Action Plan. Since the launch of the project, UNDP has been engaging with the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) to exchange experiences, complement efforts and consider joint activities.

Key
results
  • UNDP Global Programme launched the business and human rights project in Djibouti in 2022, constituting a starting point to launch the Business and Human Rights (B+HR) agenda in the country and target human rights advancement through the lens of economic development and SDGs.

  • The Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice and the President of the Chamber of Commerce of Djibouti participated in the African Business and Human Rights Forum held in Accra in October 2022 to exchange good practices and discuss the B+HR agenda among the countries.

  • Partnerships between the Ministry of Justice, the National Commission for Human Rights, the Chamber of Commerce, and UNDP were established for the project; other stakeholders, such as Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Labor and civil society, have been actively engaged.