Rule of Law and Human Rights

Opportunities for the Protection of Rule of Law and Human Rights

Challenge: The current defining challenge in Latin America and the Caribbean is a COVID-19 recovery that reverses the rise in inequality and the increase of poverty, while social cohesion and peace are maintained. Rule of law is the pre-condition to ensure to build consensus for a new and more inclusive social contract.

Strengthening the rule of law and promoting human rights are cornerstones of UNDP’s work to achieve structural transformation for sustainable human development, build resilience to prevent and withstand shocks and eradicate extreme poverty. SDG 16 articulates the key role that the rule of law plays in promoting peaceful, just, and inclusive societies and as an accelerator for the 2030 Agenda. We provide integrated assistance to enable national and local partners to better fulfill their protection responsibilities and develop sustainable solutions for displaced populations and host communities. In partnership with OHCHR and the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions, we support national human rights institutions as key mechanisms for oversight and accountability.

Another methodology to avoid the escalation of violence and the violation of human rights is the "Early Warning Systems to Respond to Social Conflicts". It identifies the causes of conflict, predicting its outbreak, and reducing its impact with timely intervention. It also considers a set of recommendations to strengthen governance and human rights.

In the following ways:

1. Supporting assessment, planning, resource mobilization, and delivery under the guidance of national partners and UN in-country leadership.
2. Supporting the strengthening of National Human Rights Institutions, Ombudsman institutions, and other independent oversight mechanisms as cornerstones of national human rights systems.
3. Supporting governments to participate in and follow-through with the Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review process.
4. Advice on national implementation of Regional and Global Frameworks on Human Rights.
5. Supporting initiatives on Human Rights and Private Sector.
6. Improving human rights-based approach and gender approach mainstreaming.
7. Advice to Cos in terms of Due Diligence Process.