Rule of law, justice and security

SOME RESULTS FROM THE UN-EU PARTNERSHIP IN 2009 IN THE AREA OF RULE OF LAW, JUSTICE AND SECURITY:

In Kassala State in Sudan, access to justice and accountability of judicial institutions was promoted through: police and prison infrastructure; access to justice for vulnerable groups in particular internally displaced people and returnees; and support to civil society and community-based organisations to engender an environment conducive to sustainable peace and development based on the rule of law. In November 2009, two new police stations in Kassala State were inaugurated.

In Kosovo, to ensure the impartiality and fairness of judges, the partnership supported the vetting and reappointment of judges and prosecutors. A review panel was appointed, and all 891 applicants underwent ethics exams. For the Supreme Court and State Prosecutorial Office, following interviews and background checks, candidates were selected and recommended to the President. The process is ongoing for other levels of the judiciary.

Kenya: capacity building and logistical support was provided to the prosecution, court, police and prison services that were engaged with trials concerned with piracy o" the coast of Somalia.

The EU supported the work of the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), established by the UN and the Guatemalan government in 2007. The CICIG’s cooperation with the Guatemalan state has had significant results in the investigation of key criminal and disciplinary cases, as well as in strengthening the institutional capacity of the justice sector and formulating proposals of legal reforms. Numerous investigations have been conducted, and a map of illegal security structures in the country has been drawn up.

In Turkey, under the 2005 Law on Child Protection, all Turkish citizens up to 18 years of age are considered children and enjoy children’s rights. However, amendments to the 2006 Anti-Terror Law mean children between fifteen and eighteen years of age can be tried as adults. Since then, the number of cases lodged against children in this age group has increased considerably.

In 2009, the EU supported the UN to work with national institutions to strengthen the rights of children in contact with the law in Turkey. 6,207 children benefitted from probation services. Over 35,000 parents attended parenting training programmes, and 2 million families at risk sought family mediation and counselling services At the start of the school year 2008-2009, 140,000 children aged 10 to 14 had never enrolled in school. With UN and EU support, as of May 2009, 35,000 of these children had enrolled in primary school. 14 child rights committees worked with government representatives to develop a national child participation strategy.