Innovation in rule of law Monjurul Kabir

Innovating for Rule of Law, Justice & Human Rights

Monjurul Kabir@Pre-HuRiLab Workshop, Yerevan

May 2, 2023 Bratislava Regional Center 2

The Big Picture: Time is NOW

• HLP Report on Post2015 released in end May 2013• Measuring & Assessing Rule of Law & Justice : UNODC,

EUFRA [June], UNDP [September] 2013• My World UN Global Survey 2013 • Post-2015 global consultations 2013• HLP Discussion on Rule of Law 2012 • CIS Study on Access to Justice & Legal Aid (2012)• ECIS Study & Report: Justice & Social Exclusion (2011)• UNDP’s Strategic Plan; Regional Programme (2014-17)• UN High Commissioner's Call for Action: Human rights

& Dignity May 2, 2023 Bratislava Regional Center 2

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Realities on the Ground

• Since UDHR in 1948, we achieved remarkable progress: Normative standardi setting, Justiciability of Rights, Monitoring of implementation of commitments- the list goes on

• However, technology, & social connectivity pose new challenges & offer fresh opportunity

• Still Traditional Policy Framework- state centric;• Disjointed Programming Responses;• Risk averse, muted human rights response;• Less money for big, old-style CapDev programming;

May 2, 2023 UNDP Europe and Central Asia 3

Bridging the gap: from Idea to Action, from traditional to

innovative approaches

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Gap: What & Why of HuRiLab

• Gap: Influencing rigid normative framework to do more with less meaningfully ;

• HuRiLab stands for Human Rights Lab, a new cross-regional initiative to promote innovation in Rule of Law, Justice and Human Rights;

• Social Innovation Camp this weekend is one of several manifestations of the new way of doing business;

• Civic Engagement is shaping our new & smarter policy & programming options;

• Timing could not be more appropriate and opportune;

May 2, 2023 UNDP Europe and Central Asia 5

Using the online world to change the status quo–real one

Addressing Challenges There are currently approximately one million widows, another million divorced women, four

million orphans, two million refugees and 2.8 million internally displaced persons in Iraq. How do we ensure access to and quality of justice to them?

[USAID Rule of Law Assessment 2009-10]

Addressing Emerging ChallengesHelp national and local institutions deliver better public services? Example: Croatia is launching a National Call Center for Witness Protection and Victim Support in June 2013 - Kyrgyzstan National Center for Prohibition of TortureAre development programmes and projects inclusive enough?Example: - Who benefits from them? How do we track the results and impacts better? Making web accessible for the Persons with Disabilities -Not only is connection to the Internet important, websites & web software need to be accessible to the PWD and everyone, including older users with accessibility needs due to aging. Example: UNDP’s Project office site in Poland: http://www.undp.org.pl/easyreadeng

Solving Problem There are currently approximately one million widows, another million divorced women, four

million orphans, two million refugees and 2.8 million internally displaced persons in Iraq. How do we ensure access to and quality of justice to them?

[USAID Rule of Law Assessment 2009-10]

Solving a Problem?How can we address social justice and protection issues?Example: Making offices of Ombudspersons and other public offices accessible to maginalised groups – minorities [Roma, ethnic & linguistic minorities] interactive web presence, SMS Service, Responsive & credible HotlineMaking most of development – Does it contribute to human rights and human dignity? – Arab statesExample: Decentralization Policy in Moldova was finalized in 2012 following a HRBA. But do we ensure that the groups consulted for finalizing a national policy will also benefit from itTechnical assistance to election or parliament should consider participation and civic engagements of all groups - not mere support to national capacities. Armenia confronted the challenges of access in elector process [2012-13].

Solving a Problem?Are we ready to harness the full potentials of technology to promote rule of law, and access to justice ?Example: Countries with deep penetration of mobile technology in rural areas can offer instant legal aid for women, disadvantaged groups, people living with HIV, elderly people and the poor; Question: How can we translate court proceedings to linguistic minorities so that they understand everything about them in the entire trial process.Are we taking full advantage of an increasingly networked world?Example: Crowd sourcing of UPR and Judicial Reforms agenda in SerbiaQuestion: How can we assess people’s changing needs/demands better? How can we make public consultation-survey-mapping-assessment etc. more cost-effective?

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Twitter: # HuriLab @mkabir2011

www.HuriLab.org