Background

In the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), Abyei, Blue Nile State and Southern Kordofan State/Nuba Mountains were named “Protocol Areas” with power shared along predetermined lines.

Decades of war has left the rule of law institutions in Protocol Areas in turmoil. Legislative, judicial, and law-enforcement institutions were compromised by the conflict and are now facing severe operational and institutional deficits. Customary and traditional dispute resolution mechanisms are also facing challenges. The existing rule of law infrastructure is dilapidated and inadequate and customary and traditional dispute resolution mechanisms have been eroded, marginalized, or incapacitated.

In 2005, UNDP launched the first phase of its Rule of Law programme in the Three Areas with support from the Netherlands, Denmark and the United States. The second phase is being implemented through the Strengthening Access to Justice and Human Security in the Three Protocol Areas project with the support of the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID), the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and SIDA under the Strategic Partnership Arrangement.

Objectives
• To enhance people's awareness of national and international law.
• To ensure people have access to an operational legal aid system.
• To enhance the judiciary's capacity.
• To enhance the capacity of the rural courts and traditional leaders.
• To enhance law-enforcement institutions capacity through training.
• To establish community policing structures and procedures.
• To sustain 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, for 257 community members.
• Supported Abyei Paralegal Association through Justice and Confidence Center (JCC) to provide legal aid assistance and awareness raising activities.
• Began construction of second phase of Abyei JCC to provide more space and training facilities for paralegals and community.
• Conducted 3 training courses for paralegals in human rights education, legal aid and management for 37 members. Included 5-day exchange visit to South Kordofan state.
• The Abyei JCC/Paralegal Association received 12 legal aid cases, with five cases successfully resolved.
• Prepared a draft Paralegal Training Manual and shared with partners/stakeholders before publishing.
• Supported training of 280 police officers in human rights and policing techniques. This included 250 officers from newly formed Joint Integrated Police Unit (JIPU) in Abyei.
• Construction of Agok Police Station reached 75% completion.
• Conducted, in partnership with the UNMIS, community policing awareness sessions for 91 youths.
• Established a community policing village committee in Nyinikwach, a returnee village north of Abyei town.
Note: As of June 2009, the activities in Abyei Area have now been merged into a new Project entitled: “Support to Abyei Civil Administration”

In the Blue Nile State:
UNDP established a Justice and Confidence Center (JCC) in Damazzin. The JCC is staffed by a team of trained paralegals who provide legal assistance to vulnerable clients as well as raise awareness on human rights and rule of law in the community. In addition, the JCC hosted workshops, forums, and events on human rights and the rule of law for community members, government officials, and civil society organizations.
• Constructed and equipped Rosaieres court complex; Health Centre building at Rosaieres Prison; Police Training School in Damazzin; renovated and equipped police training hall in Damazin.
• Supported establishment of 2 Gender Support Units at the Ministry of Social Welfare and Blue Nile University.
• Conducted awareness-raising training sessions on human rights in community and remote areas such as Kurmuk, Bau and Gissan.


In South Kordofan State:
• The Project supported the establishment of 3 Justice and Confidence Centres in three localities:(Lagawa, Kadugli and Dilling). Specifically:
• Trained 95 court staff in Case Management and Court Administration; 120 judges and prosecutors in IT skills; 75 court staff on Human Rights; 50 judges and court staff in Juvenile Justice; 44 prosecutors and senior court staff in English language and legal terminology.
• Trained 65 paralegals on Legal Aid and on how to administer ‘Justice and Means’ Tests.
Organized 9 capacity development trainings (for paralegals, police, prison and judiciary stakeholders) on strategic planning, legal aid, report writing, finance management, human rights and its monitoring, the Interim National Constitution of Sudan, the CPA, Laws of the State of South Kordofan and conflict resolution mechanisms, peace co-existence, South Kordofan State FGM Act 2008