OVERVIEW
In 2023, the Global Focal Point for the Rule of Law continued to provide expertise and catalytic-funding for integrated joint approaches across the United Nations in the rule of law area. Co-chaired by UNDP and the UN Department of Peace Operations (DPO), GFP reinforces a One-UN approach at the global and national levels to reduce violence, protect human rights, restore justice and security for people affected by crisis and conflict. 1
Since its operationalization in 2012, the GFP has provided joint rule of law support to more than 40 countries and territories and has deployed over 175 experts to strengthen and/or establish transparent, accountable and inclusive justice and security institutions, including in collaboration with the UN Standing Police Capacity and the UN Justice and Corrections Standing Capacity.
GFP CATALYTIC EFFECT IN JUSTICE AND SECURITY PROGRAMMING
Country highlights
In 2023, the GFP delivered catalytic funding and technical expertise for the joint rule of law programming in the Central African Republic (CAR), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Haiti, Libya, Mali and Somalia.
In CAR, fighting impunity remained the priority of the Joint Rule of Law Programme and the Special Criminal Court 2 which initiated its second trial in December 2023. As of the end of 2023, the SCC arrested and charged 44 persons with war crimes and/or crimes against humanity, including against children, with 25 cases under investigation by the SCC and pre-trial chambers. The tangible progress In CAR is critical to ensuring effective implementation of international law, supporting recovery amongst survivors, and breaking the silence and culture that often surrounds these crimes.
In DRC, UNDP, the UN Stabilization Mission (MONUSCO), the Corrections Unit, UN Police, the UN Joint Human Rights Office and the UN Team of Experts on Rule of Law and Sexual Violence in Conflict implemented two joint programmes under the GFP umbrella: one for justice reform and one for police reform. The 2023 achievements included:
- The number of magistrates increased by 56 percent compared to the previous year
- Over 9,000 individuals (including over 5,000 women) received access to justice in 2023
- The support from UNDP’s Global Programme for Strengthening the Rule of Law, Human Rights, Justice and Security for Sustainable Peace and Development (the Global Programme) had a catalytic effect as UNDP pooled resources with UNPOL to establish a Criminal Analysis Bureau, strengthening the investigative capacities of the judicial police units in provinces.
The GFP catalytic funding provided through the Global Programme for Libya had the same effect, enabling additional resource mobilization for rule of law and justice programming in the country.
In Haiti, the GFP framework enhanced effective cooperation among UNDP, the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR). The joint interventions supported the Haitian national police to provide services in remote areas, capacitated legal providers and advance victims' rights to remedy within the project on supporting accountability for atrocities in Haiti.
In Mali, 239 local conflicts were prevented or managed as a result of the PROSMED programme interventions implemented within the GFP framework by UNDP, UN Women and the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). PROSMED revitalized land commissions in villages which led on conflict prevention in their communities.
Policy Highlights
To promote the deployment of women corrections officers in UN peace operations, the GFP supported a Gender Parity Initiative. As a result, 45 corrections officers from nine countries were selected to participate in the CORE (Corrections Officer Recruitment Exercise) capacity building training and were subsequently deployed to active peace operations settings as Government Provided Personnel. The GFP Working Group on Gender Justice was operationalized in 2023 to advance the implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Agenda.
In response to the demand for greater integration and synergies across United Nations rule of law projects and programmes, a cross-agency GFP effort culminated in the production of a Practitioners’ Guide for post conflict, crisis, and transition settings: “Joint Rule of Law Programming under the Global Focal Point for the Rule of Law.” The Guide complements the UNSDG Guidance Note on a New Generation of Joint Programmes, with a specific focus on rule of law programming.
Lessons Learned
Over the course of the past ten years, the GFP has served as a successful flexible coordination arrangement that brings together UNDP Country Offices, UN missions and other actors within the UN rule of law system. By leveraging comparative advantages of different parts of the organization, the GFP has allowed the UN to provide tailored joint assistance in line with the One-UN approach. Through joint engagements, the UN becomes better positioned to apply a holistic and sector wide approach to the rule of law and provide workable people-centred solutions to individuals and communities.
The GFP can, as such, be better called upon to respond in sudden Mission transition contexts. The GFP also recognizes that there is a need for greater resource mobilization for joint work across the areas of in the areas of justice, prisons, police reform and security sector reform.
Looking Forward
The GFP will continue serving as a single-entry point for rule of law assistance at country-level to increase effectiveness, reduce competition and duplication and leverage unique strengths and comparative advantages of the UN agencies
In line with the Secretary-General’s New Vision for the Rule of Law, the GFP will also continue to strengthen its links with senior UN leadership in both mission and non-Mission settings to ensure political support and coordinated rule of law interventions and promote joint rule of law programming.