United Nations Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO)

Reform of rule of law institutions, including improvements in oversight, accountability and administration, is often a key priority for post-conflict countries. The development of these and other core institutions is a long-term endeavour, and one which must be rooted in inclusive political agreements to ensure the popular legitimacy of the reforms. The United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) supports programs and projects in the area of the rule of law in countries where a conflict analysis has identified this sector as an area of continuing tensions or a potential conflict trigger or where the legitimate structures for settling legal disputes need to be restored, following the return to peace. As a result, PBF projects in this area tend to focus on legal reform and on strengthening the national and local judicial institutions and police. The objective of this support is to ensure that the targeted legal institutions and entities are effective, inclusive and accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced, independently adjudicated and consistent with international human rights standards. There is a particular emphasis on supporting human rights, including through harmonisation of existing constitutional, legal and policy frameworks; human rights education and training; strengthening capacity of and access to judicial and law enforcement systems; monitoring and protecting human rights; and supporting transitional justice mechanisms. Currently, PBF is supporting rule of law projects in Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Guatemala, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Nepal and Yemen.