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

Sri lanka

Impact by Regions,
Countries & Territories
Asia-Pacific

In Sri Lanka, the project “Upholding rule of law and human rights in the Sri Lankan Crisis Response” commenced during an unprecedented socioeconomic and sociopolitical crisis. Thousands joined mass protests island-wide followed by a spate of arrests and detention. The support from the Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development (the Global Programme) contributed to UNDP’s ability to convene and assist key government and independent institutions, with an objective to reach the most vulnerable, improve human rights protection and ensure access to justice.

The crisis and the crackdown on protests increased the demand for legal aid in Sri Lanka. UNDP facilitated close coordination among the justice sector institutions such as the Legal Aid Commission, Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka and the National Victims and Witness Protection Authority. As a result, joint interventions for legal protection and representation for individuals were identified. The access to justice support was also provided though the Justice Reform (JURE) Programme funded by the European Union and the UN, where UNDP joined forces with UNICEF and the Ministry of Justice.

Given the twin crises in Sri Lanka and reports of alleged arbitrary arrests and human rights violations, individuals who were detained, including young people, required emergency assistance.

The support from the Global Programme and the European Union allowed effective coordination with the Human Rights Commission and the National Victim and Witness Protection Authority, and the provision of timely legal services to detained individuals.

The joint support provided through the JURE project strengthened the abilities of the Human Rights Commission to conduct independent field inquiries across the island. The support was timely and critical against the backdrop of the socio-economic constrains where fund allocation for travel was limited due to fuel shortages. As a key step to ensuring accountability, victims and alleged perpetrators were identified, and a sustainable repository of data was established to facilitate effective and swift inquiries into human rights violations.

For protection purposes, UNDP and partners provided technical assistance to the National Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses (NVWPA) and facilitated its collaboration with the Bar Association of Sri Lanka and the Legal Aid Commission. As a result, the protection authority extended its powers and allowed the Bar Association and Legal Aid Commission to notify a court when victims and witnesses need to be permitted to testify remotely, from an undisclosed location, with the assistance of NVWPA. Twelve victims and witnesses testified before the Magistrate's Courts and High Courts remotely in 2022. Once this procedure was in place, more victims and witnesses came forward to testify, with over 200 requests for protection being processed by the authority. In addition, this novelty helped pioneer the establishment of a legally recognized protection mechanism that would be applicable beyond the current crisis.

To further contribute to the accountability and transparency of institutions, UNDP provided technical assistance to the Parliamentary Committee on Ethics and Privileges and advocated for the establishment of the Registry of Interests of Members of Parliament, in line with the Code of Conduct for Parliamentarians. A template for the registry was created and presented before the Parliament for approval.

With UNDP’s assistance, a Parliamentary Caucus for Youth was also formed to increase youth engagement in decision- and law-making processes.

Key
results
  • Immediate response to the increased demand for human rights protection was provided to ensure legal assistance and representation for individuals (mostly youth) arrested in the wake of mass protests in Sri Lanka.
  • A sustainable protection mechanism was established for victims and witnesses who could testify before the court from an undisclosed location, with the support from the National Authority for the Protection of Victims of Crime and Witnesses. This procedure increased the number of victims and witnesses willing to testify, and prompted the operationalization of a legally recognized protection mechanism that would be applicable beyond crisis.
  • To ensure a coordinated national response to the crisis with regards to human rights protection, access to justice and accountability, UNDP facilitated effective cooperation between the Legal Aid Commission, Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, the Bar Association and the National Victims and Witness Protection Authority (NVWPA).