OVERVIEW OF THE REGIONAL CONTEXT
In 2023, the Arab States region continued to suffer from violent crises and instability. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict has caused immense human suffering, widespread loss of life and an epic humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. The hostilities revived political tensions and affected the wider region with a spillover most notably seen in Lebanon, Syria and Yemen. It is also having socio-economic impacts on neighboring countries such as Jordan and Egypt. The UN has repeatedly called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, the release of all hostages and unrestricted, sustained and at-scale humanitarian aid.
In Sudan, the violent conflict and humanitarian crisis escalated to a new level, creating insecurity and hindering the rule of law. Instability in Iraq, Lebanon, Libya and Somalia persisted, and the conflicts in Syria and Yemen continued, with devastating impacts. The heaviest burden fell upon women, girls, forcibly displaced individuals, persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups.
Overall, the Arab States region has faced a legacy of governance challenges, intensified since the 2011 uprisings. Governments struggle to meet public demands for accountability, human rights, social justice and human dignity. Trust in government remained low, in some countries as low as 10 percent, with widespread perceptions of stagnation, decline and lack of responsiveness. Corruption, nepotism and closed civil spaces exacerbate the situation. While over a decade has passed since the uprisings, desired change remains elusive, underscoring the need for people-centred approaches, stronger rule of law and accessible and transparent institutions.
Within the constraints of the challenging context, UNDP’s Regional Bureau for the Arab States continued to support national efforts in strengthening the rule of law throughout the region. The technical and financial support from the Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development (the Global Programme) enabled improved delivery of efficient and accessible justice services to vulnerable populations, notably in Iraq, Lebanon, Palestine, Somalia, Tunisia and Yemen.
In Iraq, UNDP reached a record number of 3,360 Iraqi police officers with skill trainings on a people-centred policing approach. Six Model Police Stations which were established by the Ministry of Interior with UNDP’s support to pilot a people-centred approach to policing were made fully operational in 2023, and two have been turned into learning hubs, promoting the people-centred policing throughout Iraq. In Somalia, the first police force was formed in the Galmudug state with UNDP’s support – a major step in delivering a formal professional policing service in the area. In Lebanon, over 7,000 individuals, including over 4,000 women, received legal aid services. In Yemen, the Global Programme funds contributed to improving conditions for 270 women detainees and 40 accompanying children. The support from the Global Programme also allowed the expansion of programming in the areas of digital justice, gender justice and business and human rights.
DIGITAL JUSTICE
Digitalization processes have the potential to make justice administration more efficient and transparent. In 2023, the potential of Mizan II system to serve in other countries was assessed. Mizan II is an integrated digital court management platform developed by the High Judicial Council of the State of Palestine with UNDP assistance. The process of its development is considered a successful model of digital transformation of justice systems that could be replicated in other countries or inspire the development of similar platforms. In this context, a range of South-South collaborations were initiated between the State of Palestine and countries of the Arab States region, such as Djibouti, Somalia and beyond.
GENDER JUSTICE
UNDP continued the Behavioural Insights project to advance gender equality and women's empowerment in the Arab States. Building on the Gender Justice and Equality before the Law report, the project aims to identify barriers hindering women's exercise of rights and access to legal services. Collaborating with UNDP's Innovation and Gender Teams, the project explores interventions to enhance justice delivery for women and improve the impact of legal aid services. Initiatives in Algeria, Kuwait, Libya, Syria and Tunisia tackle issues such as domestic violence, inheritance rights and support for women reintegrating after prison.
BUSINESS AND HUMAN RIGHTS (B+HR)
With the support of the Global Programme, a regional Business and Human Rights roadmap was developed in 2023 in consultations with Country Offices and the Regional Hub. With this internal guidance, UNDP will scale up its interventions in the region with an integrated approach to support more governments and businesses in their efforts to adhere to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).
As a result of UNDP’s continued support, the government of Tunisia approved the establishment of a working group tasked with developing a National Action Plan on B+HR. In Morocco, UNDP signed an agreement to support the government in integrating B+HR in its wider human rights framework. In Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, UNDP organized B+HR trainings and information sessions.
Lessons learned and good practices
Armed conflicts, violence and instability hinder people’s access to formal justice mechanisms. With this in mind, UNDP’s peacebuilding, rule of law and prevention efforts need to include the support to existing customary and informal justice (CIJ) mechanisms. Such mechanisms, if gender-responsive and human rights compliant, can help fill the justice gap.
A stronger focus on civil justice, including housing, land and property matters, family issues and considerations such as water access and governance, is also important to address the most common justice challenges in the region, especially for women and girls. Expanding UNDP’s programming on civil justice will allow it to reach more people and address the region's most prevalent legal issues. In 2024, UNDP’s Regional Bureau for the Arab States aims to profile Syrian and Yemeni approaches to CIJ and learn from these innovative approaches. With the support of the Global Programme, knowledge sharing on existing CIJ initiatives will be facilitated across the region.
Looking forward
In 2024 the regional priority will be to enable the Country Offices to continue their rule of law, security and human rights programming in an increasingly integrated manner with other pillars such as governance related, environmental and socio-economic initiatives. This is particularly important in contexts affected by emerging and protracted conflicts or undergoing political transitions. Technical and financial support from the Global Programme will be used to enhance integrated responses and partnerships, including through the Global Focal Point for the Rule of Law.
Aligned with UNDP’s transition to a portfolio approach, the Regional Hub is taking steps to transform its programming to tackle the developmental challenges in the region. The Global Programme, with the Leave No One Behind principle as its operational enabler, is well positioned to contribute to the portfolio aiming at strengthening trust towards public institutions and renewing the social contract between people and governments.