LocationsTraining frontline justice service providers across Bhutan to serve with empathy and equity as part of efforts to strengthen people-centric and inclusive access to justice.
Putting people at the core of justice service delivery
July 24, 2025
A group photo of the 51 participants from Haa, Paro, and Samtse districts who took part in the three-day workshop.
UNDP Bhutan / Dechen Wangmo
“Before joining this training, my perspective of justice was vastly rooted in rules and procedure and case files. But over these past few days, that view has shifted. I was reminded — gently and powerfully— that at the very heart of justice are people. This workshop reminded me that behind every case file lies a face, behind every complaint — a cry for fairness.” A powerful reflection by Yeshi Yuden, a Court Registrar, Paro District Court.
Yeshi Yuden was one of the over 50 frontline justice service providers from Paro, Haa and Samtse districts who attended a workshop on people-centric justice last week in Haa.
The three-day immersive workshop was rolled out as part of a broader initiative aimed at strengthening people-centric and inclusive access to justice in Bhutan—a partnership between Bhutan’s justice sector and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with funding support from the European Union (EU). The €1.1 million project was launched early this year.
Tshering Pem, Deputy Chief Legal Officer at the Bhutan National Legal Institute, presents during the session.
UNDP Bhutan / Dechen Wangmo
Through this project, UNDP is working closely with the Bhutan National Legal Institute, ten other justice sector agencies, the Office of Cabinet Affairs and Strategic Coordination under the Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament, and civil society organisations to ensure that the justice services reach more Bhutanese across the country, particularly the most vulnerable.
This is being done through highlighting both visible and invisible barriers to accessing justice, which come in various forms and shapes, including disability, gender-based discrimination, poverty, lack of legal awareness and trauma.
Mohammad Younus, Resident Representative of UNDP Bhutan, addressing participants on the final day of the session.
UNDP Bhutan / Dechen Wangmo
“This people-centric justice initiative builds on our longstanding partnership with the justice sector, focused on strengthening a justice system that prioritises the needs of individuals, fosters empowerment, and supports systemic changes towards a more inclusive, equitable, and peaceful society that underpins sustainable development,” said Mohammad Younus, UNDP Resident Representative.
“Our goal is to build the capacity of frontline justice service providers, who are the face of the justice system, in delivering services from a people-centered perspective. That means placing people they serve at the heart of their everyday work.”
Serving with a people-first mindset
Building a people-centric justice system starts with empowering justice service providers on the front lines. At the workshop, Yeshi and her fellow justice service providers were trained on how to serve with empathy and equity, placing people at the core of justice service delivery.
“Another powerful insight I gained is that justice is not found only in the outcome of a case, but in the process itself. Often, in the busy rhythm of courtrooms, we become overly focused on efficiency and indifferent to the needs and emotions of the people we deal with,” said Yeshi Yuden.
Rinchen Penjor, Chief Judge of Haa District Court, delivering the welcome speech at the opening of the workshop
UNDP Bhutan / Dechen Wangmo
“We ask questions that check boxes for legal requirements. We become fixated on whether a law was broken, overlooking the emotional truth. This workshop served as a reminder for all of us that justice is not only about upholding the laws but also about empathy, inclusivity and human dignity.”
The participants were introduced to a wide range of sessions designed to bring a positive shift in the way justice is understood and delivered. These include legal aid services for the indigent, a gender transformative approach to justice, people-centric communication for people-centric justice service delivery, an empathy-driven approach to justice service delivery, trauma-informed justice service delivery and restorative justice.
Tshering Dendup, Legal Officer, Bar Council of Bhutan facilitating during the three day event
UNDP Bhutan / Dechen Wangmo
“The session on restorative justice resonated deeply, presenting a holistic approach, emphasising that justice does not always mean punishment —it means offering someone the chance to take responsibility and make amends in a way that heals rather than harms,” said Yeshi Yuden.
Participants seated and engaged during the three-day immersive workshop, part of a broader initiative to strengthen people-centric and inclusive access to justice in Bhutan
UNDP Bhutan / Dechen Wangmo
“The session on trauma awareness was also very impactful. It taught us that people who come to the justice system are often carrying wounds that are not visible — psychological, emotional, and even generational. Although we may not be able to fix their trauma, an awareness of trauma-informed care could at least help us in recognising trauma and minimising the risk of re-traumatising.”
Dorji Phuntsho, Disability Inclusion Specialist at UNDP Bhutan, presenting on Disability Equality Training during the second day of the workshop.
UNDP Bhutan / Dechen Wangmo
An interactive session on Disability Equality Training, facilitated by Dorji Phuntsho, UNDP’s disability inclusion specialist, encouraged participants to examine biases, barriers, and misconceptions faced by persons with disabilities. Through case examples and group discussions, participants developed a deeper understanding of inclusive justice service delivery practices.
Recognising that people-centric justice is about leaving no one behind, including the justice service providers themselves, the workshop also ran a session on psychological first aid. This session drew attention to the justice service providers, whose mental health and well-being are often neglected.
“Another message that struck a personal chord with me was the importance of not forgetting to take care of our own mental health and well-being while serving others. As frontline workers in the justice system, we often carry the weight of others' pain and suffering. We were reminded that we cannot pour from an empty cup. And to truly serve others, we must first learn to care for ourselves,” shared Yeshi Yuden.
For more information, please reach out to:
Ms. Dechen Wangmo, Communications and Partnerships Analyst | Email: dechen.wangmo@undp.org
