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

State of Palestine

Impact by Regions,
Countries & Territories
Arab States

In the State of Palestine, access to justice for women and children was improved through the Joint UNDP, UN Women and UNICEF Sawasya II Programme: Promoting the Rule of Law in Palestine (2018-2023).

The support that UNDP’s Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development (the Global Programme) provided to Sawasya II in previous years was one of the key enablers for the consolidation of access to justice pathways and further development of the rule of law initiatives. In particular, the support from the Global Programme has been crucial in leveraging e-justice gains, ensuring their visibility and fostering South-South cooperation on digital justice solutions. Gradual expansion of the Mizan II court management system is an emblematic example.

The first court specialized in cases of violence against women was established in Nablus as a result of long-term advocacy aimed at addressing the needs of women survivors of violence, while strengthening guarantees of protection and safeguarding women's right to safety, privacy and dignity.

A separate entrance to the court, elevator and a private waiting area were made accessible to all women, including those with disabilities, elderly women and pregnant women. Due to Sawasya-supported collaboration among the High Judicial Council, the Attorney General’s Office and the Ministry of Social Development, the court accommodated a social counselor and a specialized public prosecutor. This survivor-centred design is critical to enhance women's trust in the formal justice system. Over 100 cases were adjudicated by this specialized court in 2022.

Innovation

The first legal incubator in the Middle East and North Africa region was launched in Gaza as a community-based legal mechanism to improve access to legal aid for vulnerable individuals. Established in partnership with the University College of Applied Sciences (UCAS), the incubator provided practical training and business support to 15 lawyers (67 percent women) in launching their own practice and providing socially responsible services.

Increased access to mediation and alternatives-to-detention pathways resulted in enhanced access to justice for children in contact with the law. The custodial sentencing of children decreased by 46 percent. In 2022, 79 new mediators were identified, in addition to 34 identified a year before. Mediation services were further institutionalized and a national referral system developed under the auspices of the Ministry of Social Development.

Key
results
  • The first court specialized in cases of violence against women was established in Nablus as a result of long-term UN advocacy. The survivor-centred design of the services and premises of the court enabled women’s legal empowerment and enhanced their trust in the formal justice system.
  • Over 21,500 Palestinians accessed in-person legal aid and over 21,700 individuals had access to in-person legal awareness across the occupied Palestinian territory, representing a 39 percent and a 65 percent increase respectively, as compared to 2021.
  • Though the Mizan II court management system, 600,000 marriage and divorce certificates were archived and linked with the civil records registry, resulting in administrative efficiency gains and allowing people to easily retrieve critical documents within a few minutes instead of two weeks.

  1. Mizan II, an integrated digital court management system was developed by the High Judicial Council of the State of Palestine with UNDP support. Mizan enhanced the justice delivery, increased efficiency and transparency of the judicial system.