Background

The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) provides the overall framework for post conflict recovery and the restoration of peace and stability in Sudan. Under the CPA, Abyei, Blue Nile State, and South Kordofan State/Nuba Mountains were given the special status of so-called “Protocol Areas,” with power being shared along predetermined lines.

Having been especially hard hit by Sudan’s decades of warfare, Abyei Area, Blue Nile State, and South Kordofan State face unique challenges on the road to peace and recovery. These three areas are facing an influx of returning Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), despite the widespread poverty, insecurity, and lack of infrastructure that exists in these regions. The judiciary and security sectors in these areas remain particularly under-developed and are characterized by poor infrastructure, limited operational capacity, and a weak knowledge base.

Recognizing that inequity, conflicts, lack of development, and a weak system of governance are factors that erode human security and the rule of law, UNDP’s interventions seek to strengthen relevant rule of law institutions to deliver services, problem solve and function efficiently while also empowering communities to understand their rights in order to make informed choices and enhancing their ability to access justice for themselves.

With the support of the Netherlands Government, the Danish International Development Agency, the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and US Agency for International Development – Office of Transition Initiatives, in 2005 UNDP launched the first phase of a large Rule of Law programme. The second phase is being implemented through the Strengthening Access to Justice and Human Security in the Three Protocol Areas project.

Objectives
The project seeks to address the threats to human security and the tensions expected to emerge with the large-scale return of IDPs to and through the Three Protocol Areas; to build the capacity of state rule of law institutions to provide access to justice for receiving/host communities, the displaced, returnees and marginalized groups; and to empower communities to access justice, resolve conflict through customary mechanisms and enjoy protection by the state.

The project’s specific objectives include:
• Enhancing people's awareness of their rights according to national and international law.
• Ensuring that people have access to an operational legal aid system.
• Enhancing the judiciary's capacity.
• Enhancing the capacity of the rural courts and the traditional leaders.
• Enhancing the capacity of law-enforcement institutions through training.
• Establishing community policing structures and procedures.
• Sustaining local ownership and support to rule of law activities.

Snapshots of the project's major achievements

In Abyei:
• Conducted 7 human rights and rule of law awareness activities, reaching over 257 community members (97 men and 160 women).
• Supported the Abyei Paralegal Association through the Justice and Confidence Center (JCC) to provide legal aid and awareness activities.
• Commenced the Construction of the second phase of the Abyei JCC to provide more space and training facilities for paralegals and community’s use.
• Conducted 3 training courses for the paralegals in human rights education, legal aid and management for 37 members (27 men and 10 women). This included a 5-day exchange visit to South Kordofan state.
• The Abyei JCC/Paralegal Association received 12 legal aid cases, where five were successfully resolved.
• A draft Paralegal Training Manual was prepared and shared with partners/stakeholders for comments, before publishing.
• Supported the training of 280 police officers (275 men and 5 women) in human rights and various policing techniques. This included 250 officers from the newly formed Joint Integrated Police Unit (JIPU) in Abyei.
• The project commenced the construction of a Police Station on Agok, reaching 75% completion.
• 91 youth (89 men and 2 women) participated in a community policing awareness sessions conducted in partnership with the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS).
• One community policing village committee was established in Nyinikwach – a Returnee village north of Abyei town.
• The project held one Local Steering Committee (LSC) meeting to discuss project implementation and sustainability.

In the Blue Nile State:
• Established the Justice and Confidence Centre in August 2006. With 37 paralegal staff, the Centre is currently registered as an NGO, providing pro bono legal aid, conducting paralegal training and hosting awareness forums. Over 3,500 people across Blue Nile state have benefited from the services offered by the JCC.
• Developed a training curriculum for paralegals in Blue Nile.
• Conducted an assessment of the traditional/local administration and application of customary law in Blue Nile between June and July 2007.
•Trained 52 community volunteers at the JCC on human rights principles.
•Provided probono legal services with upto 350 cases refferred to JCC and resolved.
•Conducted an assessment on the native administration and application of customary law in Blue Nile between June and July 2007.
•Trained senior Police Officers and community leaders on aspects of community policing.
• Trained 35 community members in various aspects of police functions, human rights, and social policing.
• Trained 20 Prison Officers on principles of Good Prison Management.
• Rehabilitated the Railway Police Station Training Hall in Damazin.
• Gained approval from the State Governor for the formation of the Local Steering Committee.
• Trained over 400 Police Officers of various ranks in all the counties in Blue Nile State. The topics include Police Station Functions, Record Keeping, Gender and Child Protection, Human Rights, Democratic Policing and Principles of Good Governance.
• Pioneered safety monitors training as a community policing pilot project in Kurmuk.
• 270 (judges, police, law professional, traditional leaders and paralegals) justice personnel received training towards capacity development in human rights principles and core rule of law in South Kordofan and Blue Nile.
• Trained in partnership with UNMIS about 200 people, including 100 state Police Officers, in including community policing, human rights and gender based violence.
• 180 Senior Police Officers in Damazine and Kurmuk were trained in Rule of Law and Human Rights as well as English Communication and Computer Skills.

In South Kordofan State:
• Conducted 7 human rights and rule of law activities reaching over 452 community members (296 men and 156 women).
• Brought together over 1100 community members for human rights awareness through the 2008 International Human Rights Day celebrations. This included 400 people in activites in Dilling, Lagawa and Kadugli; and 700 students in different awareness-raising parades.
• 19 paralegals (15 men and 4 women) were trained in human rights education and legal aid issues through four programmes.
• Completed the construction of, and furnished a JCC in Kadugli for the Paralegal Association.
• Funded human rights awareness and legal aid activities in Dilling, Lagawa and Kadugli through which 27 cases were received. Of these, six were successfully resolved.
• Initiated a legal aid programme in Kadugli state prison through which 3 cases were received and referred to lawyers.
• Supported the training of 50 police officers (all male) of different ranks in First Line Supervision; Leadership and Management; and other policing aspects, in partnership with UNMIS.
• Supported the training of 25 prison officers (17 men and 8 women) in a 3-day training course on Good Prison Management.
• Provided community policing equipment to the Kadugli State Police, Kadugli Police Training Center, five police stations in Kadugli locality; the New Sudan Police (SPLM); and five village community policing committees.
• Supported the training of 61 court staff (38 men and 23 women) in Information Technology and court management
• Played a lead-role in efforts to establish a Lawyers Forum in South Kordofan.