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

Egypt

Impact by Regions,
Countries & Territories
Arab States

In Egypt, UNDP engaged in extensive consultations with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) to agree on the priority areas for the next phase of the project “Support to Legal Aid and Dispute Settlement in Family Courts and Legal Aid Offices”.

Direct project implementation will start with the needs assessment scheduled for the second quarter of 2023. The previous project phases implemented through the MoJ will be assessed from human rights and gender perspectives to inform the third phase. The assessment aims to identify the lessons learned and generate knowledge.

The project and its preparation phase mainstream the leave no one behind approach while supporting the MoJ in providing access to justice for all Egyptians, especially the most marginalized. In addition to continuing earlier achievements benefiting women (development and expansion of legal aid and dispute settlement offices), the project will expand to benefit workers in line with the new draft labour law which was approved by the Senate, and will be referred to the House of Representatives for final discussion.

By engaging MoJ at the early stage of project development, UNDP ensured better alignment with national priorities and needs, and also encouraged national ownership. In 2023, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is expected to be signed between UNDP and the Ministry to expedite future cooperation and develop additional activities including the expansion of the network of legal aid offices in Egypt and enhancing the digital infrastructure for the MoJ.

UNDP and the MoJ will be the primary recipients of the needs assessment for the project, with its findings being equally useful to other ministries and state bodies, development partners and the donor community. The needs assessment is to be completed in 2023.

Key
results
  • UNDP and the Ministry of Justice have agreed on the priority areas for the next phase of the project “Support to Legal Aid and Dispute Settlement in Family Courts and Legal Aid Offices” in Egypt, with implementation to start in 2023.