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

Kazakhstan

Impact by Regions,
Countries & Territories
Europe and Central Asia

In Kazakhstan, UNDP enhanced the technical capacities and the expertise of the law enforcement and human rights institutions in response to the needs spawned by the January 2022 crisis in the country. The intervention supported by UNDP’s Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development was also launched to support national stakeholders in implementing political reforms announced by the Government in 2022.

Human rights

Three key laws were adopted in Kazakhstan during the year: ‘On the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Kazakhstan’; ‘On the Prosecutor’s Office’; ‘On the Human Rights Commissioner in the Republic of Kazakhstan’. The application of these laws is expected to increase access to justice and grievance mechanisms in the country. UNDP contributed to these legislative changes, including by engaging the experts of the Asia Pacific Forum in the review process to ensure the draft law ‘On Human Rights Commissioner’ was compliant with the Paris Principles. The law was adopted in November, extending the mandate of the National Centre for Human Rights (Kazakhstan’s national human rights institution (NHRI)) and its representation in the regions. The new Human Rights Commissioner was appointed in December 2022.

Partnerships

To strengthen the NHRI capacities in the regions, UNDP, jointly with the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) and UNICEF, developed a programme for the induction training of the NHRI regional offices. Tailored sessions on international human rights standards were delivered for 18 regional representatives of the Human Rights Commissioner and 12 staff members of NHRI (including ten women, in total). In addition, UNDP started preparations for the NHRI capacity assessment to identify its strengths and needs to effectively implement its extended mandate at central and regional levels as per the new laws and in line with the Paris Principles. The capacity assessment has been planned for 2023.

To support transformative changes in the work of the police and promote people-centred human rights-based services, UNDP organized a training of trainers for four police academies on community policing, and regional trainings for 31 police officers (including 13 women) on better protection for gender-based violence survivors, persons with disabilities and youth, and on police management and crowd control during public protests.

Gender equality

In line with UNDP’s Gender Equality Strategy and in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and regional administrations, trainings were organized in the regions of Kyzylorda and Aktau to enhance the capacity of over 50 police inspectors (including 14 women) on effectively working with gender-based violence survivors, focusing on the human rights-based and multisectoral approach.

Good practices were demonstrated through the use of digital tools for community policing. In 2023, UNDP Accelerators Labs will work with the Country Office to offer specific innovative and technological solutions for the law enforcement system in Kazakhstan.

Key
results
  • UNDP supported the adoption of the law on the Human Rights Commissioner that extended the mandate of Kazakhstan’s national human rights institutions and its regional representation.
  • Through the training of trainers on community policing, people-centred and human rights-based approaches, UNDP supported transformational changes in the work of the police.
  • In two regions, 50 police inspectors (including 14 women) improved their knowledge on effectively working with and support to gender-based violence survivors.