UN Joint Rule of Law Programme for Somaliland Phase II 

Objectives

Somaliland achieved significant progress for democratic, fair and transparent election for nationwide with latest election of political parties and president on 12 November 2024. The government made improvements in last two decades with governance and rule of for law for decentralized local government and service delivery. Despite the progress, adherence to rule of law, respecting human rights for freedom of speech and inclusion of women and marginalized and minatory groups needs special attention.

To meet with current challenge and in line with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 5, 10 and 16) and with Somaliland National Development Plan III for governance and rule of rule pillar, the UN Joint Programme of UNDP, UNWOMEN, UNODC with local implementing partners are focused for the following key priority outputs:

• Enhanced institutional capacity for effective and efficient service delivery and access to justice. (UNDP)
• Improved Police services delivery and oversight of institutions securing safety and security of Somaliland citizens to ensure trust and confidence of all. (UNDP/UNSOM)
• Enhanced Legal and Policy Environment and Capacities for Gender Justice and Human Rights. (UNWOMEN)
• Enhanced criminal justice enforcement and correctional services. (UNODC).

Based on lessons learned from final evaluation of Joint Rule of Law Programme and with collective expertise from UN agencies of UNDP, UNWOMEN and UNODC, the fund strengths justice and security to be more inclusive, people centered, capacitated institutions to respond, justice, security and human rights for all people in Somaliland.

The Programme reached to the most marginalized groups for women and children, internally displaced persons, refugees and minorities through free legal and providing comprehensive and multi sector support for survivors of Sexual and Gender Based Violence with partnership from Baahikoob Centers. In addition to this communities and law enforcement agencies were empowered to collaborate on the development of crime prevention strategies through series of training and dialogue among the stakeholders to work closely for preventing crimes. The programme also supported correction systems by improving prison facilities through renovation and frequent monitoring visits of prisons and detention centers for checking living conditions of inmates and providing valuable recommendations to the law enforcement agencies.

Governance

Board

The governance structure of UN Joint Rule of Law Programme in Somaliland will comprise the following elements:

• Programme Technical Committee (PSC) to provide oversight and strategic direction.
• Programme Secretariat (PS) with UN lead agencies of UNSOM and UNDP providing operational and programmatic coordination for PUNOs managed through a joint programme unit.
• Administrative Agent (AA) - funds administration by UNDP Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF Office)
• Participating UN Organizations (PUNOs) – will include the coordination and implementingpartners and will be able to receive funds.

Annual workplans are developed by the PUNOS with the Programme Coordinator by quarter 4 of each calendar year, based on an initial indication of the available budget for each output from the coordinator. The plans will be consolidated into the annual workplan and subsequently approved by the Technical Programme Committee (PTC). The PTC shall confirm the parameters and level of delegation to the PTC and learning teams. To ensure programme agility, the workplans define the budget allocated to each output, while output level activities and inputs will remain indicative and subject to adaptation as required.

Project teams are responsible for workplan implementation. To that end, they will translate annual workplans into quarterly workplans detailing activities for each output, target communities, and geographic areas.

Sustainable Review Committee

The IRC advises the Board on approaches for enhancing quality and impact of the fund, as well as weighs in on key decisions.

Participating Organizations

Participating United Nations Organizations develop project and programme proposals, and report on implementation and financial processes and outcomes. Each Participating Organization assumes full programmatic and financial accountability for funds disbursed to it by the Administrative Agent.  

Administrative Agent

Recipient Organizations receive funds through the Administrative Agent, the MPTF Office. The Administrative Agent is responsible for the receipt, administration and management of contributions from donors, disbursement of funds to Recipient Organizations, and consolidation and dissemination of progress reports to donors.

Governance

1.     Access to Justice and Protection for Vulnerable Groups: The capacity of vulnerable groups to navigate legal processes and secure protection in an environment with limited legal support was increased. 1,482 beneficiaries (male 509 and female 973) were provided with free legal aid by the National Human Rights Commission. 

2.      Support for Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV): Access to critical services for SGBV survivors was ensured by the Programme’s continued support for the One-Stop Multi Service Baahikoob Centers at Hargeisa and Burao Hospitals. 272 SGBV survivors (246 females, 26 males, and 191 minors) received medical, psychosocial, and legal support from the centres during 2024, fostering a coordinated, victim-centered approach to addressing SGBV. 

3.      Enhancing Police Capacity in Human Rights and Gender Responsiveness: The Programme enhanced the collective ability of Somaliland’s law enforcement to protect vulnerable populations and respond inclusively and sensitively to human rights violations. Training sessions for 350 police officers (290 males and 60 females) were conducted across Somaliland, focusing on human rights, gender responsiveness, SGBV, and child rights. 

4.      Crime Prevention Strategies: Communities and law enforcement agencies were empowered to collaborate on the development of crime prevention strategies. The Ministry of Justice led training and consultative workshops, strengthening capabilities in crime prevention strategies, fostering better coordination among stakeholders and enabling communities to combat crime. 

5.      Promoting Media Freedom and Journalist Protection: In 2024, significant progress was made in promoting media freedom and protecting journalists’ rights. Dialogue and discussions facilitated by the NHRC contributed to a safer environment for free expression, as evidenced by a notable reduction in arbitrary arrests of journalists 11 in 2024, from a baseline of 42 in 2022.

6.     Gender-Responsive Justice Sector Reform: The Programme is seeking to reform the justice sector to be more inclusive, effectively address gender-based violence and discrimination, and empower women to engage in decision-making processes. High level consultations were undertaken establish an Advocacy Working Group on the Sexual Offenses Bill. 

7.     Reform of the Corrections System: The Programme promoted a more humane approach to incarceration by improving conditions for detainees and providing legal aid, particularly to women and juveniles. This initiative particularly emphasized restorative justice and safeguarding the rights of incarcerated individuals. Vocational trainings have supported the capacity of female prisoners to effectively reintegrate with their local communities

Projects

UN Joint Rule of Law Programme for Somaliland Phase II

UN Joint Rule of Law Programme for Somaliland Phase II is currently supporting count_projects ongoing projectscount_globalInterregional and count_countries country-specific. This table shows the most recently approved ongoing projects.

All project financial information can be found in the Financials section, including delivery analysis by organization, theme and project; project financial status by country and by theme.

UN Joint Rule of Law Programme for Somaliland Phase II

Results

1. Access to Justice and Protection for Vulnerable Groups: The capacity of vulnerable groups to navigate legal processes and secure protection in an environment with limited legal support was increased. 1,482 beneficiaries (male 509 and female 973) were provided with free legal aid by the National Human Rights Commission.
2.  Support for Survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV): Access to critical services for SGBV survivors was ensured by the Programme’s continued support for the One-Stop Multi Service Baahikoob Centers at Hargeisa and Burao Hospitals. 272 SGBV survivors (246 females, 26 males, and 191 minors) received medical, psychosocial, and legal support from the centres during 2024, fostering a coordinated, victim-centered approach to addressing SGBV.
3.  Enhancing Police Capacity in Human Rights and Gender Responsiveness: The Programme enhanced the collective ability of Somaliland’s law enforcement to protect vulnerable populations and respond inclusively and sensitively to human rights violations. Training sessions for 350 police officers (290 males and 60 females) were conducted across Somaliland, focusing on human rights, gender responsiveness, SGBV, and child rights.
4.  Crime Prevention Strategies: Communities and law enforcement agencies were empowered to collaborate on the development of crime prevention strategies. The Ministry of Justice led training and consultative workshops, strengthening capabilities in crime prevention strategies, fostering better coordination among stakeholders and enabling communities to combat crime.
5.  Promoting Media Freedom and Journalist Protection: In 2024, significant progress was made in promoting media freedom and protecting journalists’ rights. Dialogue and discussions facilitated by the NHRC contributed to a safer environment for free expression, as evidenced by a notable reduction in arbitrary arrests of journalists 11 in 2024, from a baseline of 42 in 2022.
6. Gender-Responsive Justice Sector Reform: The Programme is seeking to reform the justice sector to be more inclusive, effectively address gender-based violence and discrimination, and empower women to engage in decision-making processes. High level consultations were undertaken establish an Advocacy Working Group on the Sexual Offenses Bill.
7. Reform of the Corrections System: The Programme promoted a more humane approach to incarceration by improving conditions for detainees and providing legal aid, particularly to women and juveniles. This initiative particularly emphasized restorative justice and safeguarding the rights of incarcerated individuals. Vocational trainings have supported the capacity of female prisoners to effectively reintegrate with their local communities

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