UNDP’s cooperation with the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Interior and the UN Support Mission in Libya led to the successful development of the rule of law and justice project supported through the UN Global Focal Point for the Rule of Law (GFP). This consultative process has further strengthened UNDP’s engagement with its national counterparts and had a convening effect on the international community in Libya.
GFP funding generated catalytic results in resource mobilization. Leveraging the GFP funding, UNDP was able to mobilize US$4 million in 2023 (with contributions from the governments of Italy and the Netherlands) and expects to mobilize an additional $3 million in 2024.
UNDP began preparations to assess the justice and security situation in the municipalities of Gharyan and Benghazi to inform UNDP programming both in those areas and also in other locations. The pilot assessments will take place in 2024, along with the local justice forums to launch the project in these municipalities.
In Libya, the project design on strengthening the rule of law and justice has progressed, despite certain challenges and delays related to the sensitivity of the rule of law programming. The project is supported through the UN Global Focal Point for the Rule of Law.
The project document was finalized and approved in June 2023. It was prepared in close consultation with the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Interior, and incorporated findings from the evaluations of the previous policing and security joint project completed by UNDP with the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
This consultative process has further strengthened UNDP’s cooperation with its national counterparts. The Ministry of Justice requested UNDP to support the National Human Rights Commission in drafting periodic human rights reports. After a first drafting workshop in September 2023, in collaboration with the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) and UNSMIL, UNDP is convening international partners to drive this process forward.
UNDP’s previous rule of law initiatives and the design of the new project also had a convening effect on the international community in Libya. Coordination amongst technical and financial partners was boosted with the launch of a new series of coordination meetings that serve as a platform for informal exchanges and networking. The GFP project also enhanced UNDP’s collaboration with UNSMIL, the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and UN Women.
By the end of 2023, following a lengthy and complicated process, UNDP selected an implementing partner to assess the justice and security situation in the municipalities of Gharyan and Benghazi. The assessments were scheduled to take place in 2024, along with the local justice forums to launch the project in these municipalities.
GFP funding had a catalytic effect on resource mobilization. UNDP has secured funding from Italy and the Netherlands, with negotiations being close to complete with another donor.Through this separate funding from Italy, under its broader rule of law portfolio, UNDP provided training for 98 female lawyers and conducted a preliminary comparative study of different draft versions of the Libyan penal code. The funding from the Netherlands is dedicated to a series of activities linked to the Missing Persons File in Libya.
Lessons learned and good practices
The rule of law topic is politically sensitive in Libya, and lengthy decision processes among national stakeholders often impede the project’s effective implementation. UNDP accelerates the advancement of activities by focusing heavily on confidence-building and maintaining cooperation with its counterparts, with frequent and transparent exchanges with the assigned focal points.
Looking forward
In 2024, UNDP will support rule of law institutions and civil society organizations in Libya, promoting local initiatives to improve access to justice and security.