UNDP holds a training on judicial integrity and human rights for judges and magistrates

On 1-2 May 2024, UNDP and the PNG Center for Judicial Excellence hosted a two-day training on Human Rights, Anti-Corruption, and Gender Equality for over 15 Papua New Guinean judges and magistrates.

May 10, 2024

The training was held in Port Moresby as part of the European Union-funded ‘Preventing and Countering Corruption in Papua New Guinea’ Project (PNG Anti-Corruption Project).

Seru Kepa | UNDP Papua New Guinea

The training highlighted the importance and need for judges and magistrates in Papua New Guinea to continue demonstrating qualities that encourage anti-corruption, integrity, ethics, human rights, and gender equality in their day-to day duties.

“A strong and independent judiciary is the cornerstone of a just society. By providing training on judicial integrity, we are equipping legal professionals with the tools and knowledge they need to uphold the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice for all,” explains Dr. Alma Sedlar, UNDP PNG Chief Technical Adviser on Anti-Corruption.

Through presentations and interactive discussions, the members of the PNG judiciary were able to gain insight on basic features and best practices of the global fight against corruption, and learn about international anti-corruption legal instruments and their relevance to Papua New Guinea. The training also highlighted the importance of human rights and gender equality for a judicial system and ways for ensuring a maximum level of personal and institutional integrity among the judiciary.

The training highlighted the importance of human rights and gender equality for an effective judicial system.

Seru Kepa | UNDP Papua New Guinea

In his opening remarks, the Acting Chief Justice of the Supreme and National Courts of PNG, Mr. Ambeng Kandakasi, stressed how corruption destroys institutions, nations and people, if not detected and prevented early and promptly in its track.

‘’This workshop has encouraged discussions on human rights, anti-corruption, and gender equality and provided us an opportunity to critically analyze the systems we have in place to address these issues. We must identify ways to improve our work as judges and magistrates by maintaining our independence, impartiality, and integrity. Most importantly, we must keep our people’s trust and confidence and play a critical role in building a nation based on the rule of law,’’ he said.

The Acting Chief Justice of the Supreme and National Courts of PNG, Mr. Ambeng Kandakasi, attended the training.

Seru Kepa | UNDP Papua New Guinea

Following this training, UNDP and the PNG Center for Judicial Excellence hosted a similar workshop for court officials on 3 May 2024. Over 20 participants from Port Moresby and other Papua New Guinean provinces attended the training. The trainings were organized by UNDP through the EU-funded PNG Anti-Corruption Project, which is jointly implemented by UNDP and UNODC.