Experts discuss global strategies to promote equal access to justice at UNODC-led meeting in Brazil.
Brasilia, Brazil, December 2024 - The Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on Equal Access to Justice for All, convened by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), concluded successfully in Brasilia, Brazil, on December 11, 2024. The event, hosted by the Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security with the Support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the government of Canada, brought together experts nominated by Member States from around the world to share information on challenges, lessons learned, best practices and enabling factors needed to enhance the functioning of criminal justice systems to ensure equal access to justice for all.
This meeting was held in line with United Nations General Assembly Resolution 78/227, entitled “Equal Access to Justice for All,” adopted on December 19, 2023 on the recommendation of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. In line with this mandate, the experts, who stemmed from Ministries of Justice, police, prosecution, judiciary, legal aid providers, academia and civil Society and who were nominated by Member States discussed barriers to justice and strategies to overcome them based on their national experiences.
Access to justice remains a significant global challenge, as highlighted in the Second Global Progress Report on Sustainable Development Goal 16 Indicators. Underreporting of physical and sexual violence by victims of crime, persistent high pre-trial detention rates, and widespread discrimination—affecting one in six people, especially racial minorities and individuals with disabilities—underscore systemic barriers. Commitments such as the 2030 Agenda’s Target 16.3, the Kyoto Declaration, and UN General Assembly Resolution 78/227 emphasize the need for inclusive, effective, and accountable justice systems. UNODC prioritizes promoting criminal justice systems to uphold the rule of law, reduce inequalities, and ensure marginalized voices are central to policy development and reform.
The EGM was opened by Sheila de Carvalho, National Secretary for Access to Justice at the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (SAJU), Brazil, who emphasized the significance of international cooperation in this area. “We are dedicated to democratizing justice and creating mechanisms that ensure justice is accessible to everyone, including those in situations of social and economic vulnerability.”
Erin McKey, Director and General Counsel, Criminal Law Policy Section, Department of Justice Canada, highlighted in her opening remarks that “the Secretary-General, in his New Vision for the Rule of Law, published in July 2023, underlined the importance of a people-centered approach to rule of law which inspires policies, laws and institutions that are better able to protect and uphold the rights of all individuals.
Elena Abbati, UNODC Brazil Representative, commended Brazil for hosting the Expert Group Meeting on Equal Access to Justice and acknowledged Canada’s vital support in making the event possible. She praised the innovative and substantive efforts of both nations, highlighting their roles as global leaders in promoting equitable access to justice. “This meeting reaffirms our collective commitment that justice is not a privilege for a few but a right guaranteed to all, regardless of origin, condition, or circumstances,” she stated.
Abbati emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts among governments, civil society, academia, and the private sector to strengthen justice systems and address evolving societal needs. “The recommendations emerging from this meeting will not only inform the report to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice but also provide actionable insights to inspire meaningful and sustainable reforms across UN Member States, ensuring no one is left behind,” she concluded.
In order to ensure that the diverse voices were heard and in line with the principle of “nothing about us without us” the experts also heard from civil society groups from across the world during an online consultation with over 500 CSOs registered and 14 taking the floor
CSO representatives highlighted that Access to justice begins with addressing the needs of the most vulnerable through affordable and practical solutions. Community-based paralegals play a critical role by offering accessible legal support, mediation, and guidance, ensuring justice reaches those who need it most." (quote from Clifford Msiska, Chairperson of the African Centre of Excellence for Access to Justice.
The EGM convened41 experts nominated by 30 Member States, [across the Americas, Africa, Asia, Europe] alongside UNODC staff and host country representatives. Discussions were focused on dismantling barriers to justice and addressing the challenges faced by marginalized groups. Participants shared strategies, tools, and practices to foster more inclusive and effective criminal justice systems. The recommendations adopted at the meeting will be included in a report to the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) at its 34th session in 2025. These recommendations aim to guide Member States and stakeholders in their efforts to implement Resolution 78/227 and ensure no one is left behind. They will also inform the regional preparatory meetings of the 15th UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
Some of the key measures discussed to ensure equal access to justice for all within the criminal justice context, includedeliminating discrimination, fostering representative institutions, responsibly using technology, enhancing data collection, research and measurement of impact, and promoting cross-sectoral and multidisciplinary approaches.
On the occasion of the expert group meeting, the international experts also had the opportunity to learn about many initiatives of Brazil to advance equal access to justice for all, including by a visit to a mobile legal aid bus that provides legal aid and legal information to children in schools and communities across the Federal District. (add Picture of the visit here).
The EGM marked a significant milestone in the global effort to achieve equal access to justice for all. By fostering international collaboration and a shared commitment to reformbringing together experts from across regions and countries, legal systems, languages and stages of development, the meeting demonstrated that meaningful change is possible through collective action..
UNODC and its partners remain committed to advancing the goals of Resolution 78/227, paving the way for more inclusive, transparent, and accountable criminal justice systems worldwide.
Find out more on equal access to justice here.
Access to Justice – The UNODC, through its Access to Justice Team (Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Section/Treaty Affairs Division) and the Global Programme on People-Centered Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Reform, serves as a knowledge hub on access to justice and provides technical assistance to Member States to fulfill their commitment to ensuring equal access to justice for all individuals in contact with the criminal justice system. UNODC initiatives are evidence-based and tailored to regional, national, and local contexts, guided by international legal standards as well as relevant local laws and customs.
