EU Rule of Law Programme to unleash reforms towards access to justice and citizen friendly service delivery in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan

© UNODC-Pakistan

2 July 2021, Islamabad - It is a universally acknowledged principle that the rule of law is the cornerstone of a well-functioning democracies where the rights of citizens are equitably protected through inclusive and accessible access to justice. Backed by this premise, the EU-funded Rule of Law Programme was officially rolled out on 2^nd July 2021 among a highly charged and socially distanced ceremony in Islamabad.

The Programme is financed by the European Union with EUR20 million for a period of five years from 2021-2025 and jointly implemented by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women). It aims to support reform processes towards ensuring the delivery of people-centered services and access to justice for all, particularly women, less privileged and marginalized groups in KP, including newly merged districts and Balochistan.

The Programme has witnessed phenomenal ownership and appreciation from the Honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr. Justice Gulzar Ahmed, along with Her Excellency Ms. Androulla Kaminara, the EU Ambassador to Pakistan, the Representatives of the three UN Agencies, provincial governments of KP and Balochistan and rule of law stakeholders. A strong commitment has been expressed from the Government of Pakistan to support the Programme achieve its goal.

© UNODC-Pakistan

The Programme is also well-timed given the disproportionate impact on the criminal justice system due to the pandemic. After the conclusion of a well-administered inception phase that has set the context for implementation, the Rule of Law Programme is all set to provide technical assistance to legal and operational reforms under the umbrella of the Rule of Law roadmaps in KP and Balochistan, building on and strengthening the already established institutional structures. To this end, UNODC is committed to deepening its efforts towards delivering inclusive justice and evidence-driven reforms in Balochistan building on the achievements harvested so far under the RoL Roadmap.

The EU Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Ms. Androulla Kaminara, underscored the long-term commitment of the EU to improving the Rule of Law and access to justice for all in Pakistan. The new programme is part of EU priorities and Strategic Engagement Plan 2019 in Pakistan.

UNODC Pakistan Country Representative, Mr. Jeremy Milsom, reiterated UNODC’s continuous commitment to work as a strategic partner to the Federal and provincial Government of Balochistan, implementing and strengthening transformative reforms in the delivery of a free and fair justice for all, including vulnerable and marginalized groups to support inclusive, just, and citizen-friendly rule of law for the people in Pakistan.