UNDP Commits Continued Support to Improve Justice Services

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is committed to providing support to Jamaica in ensuring the delivery of efficient and effective justice services for all Jamaicans.

Resident Representative, UNDP, Kishan Khoday, gave the assurance as he addressed the recent handover of stenography devices and laptops, valued at more than $30 million, to the Government at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Regional Headquarters in Mona, St. Andrew.

The devices were donated under the Social Justice Project (SO-JUST), which is being implemented by the UNDP through funding from Global Affairs Canada.

The SO-JUST Project targets systemic change within the structures of the Ministry of Justice, its departments and agencies, the Courts, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to improve social justice in Jamaica.

The project aims to reinforce wider Government of Jamaica priorities that support the strengthening of inclusive governance, rule of law and access to justice with a focus on vulnerable communities such as women, girls, persons living with disability and other key populations.

“Through the SO-JUST Project, the UNDP is proudly implementing appropriate solutions to this development priority. With leadership from the Ministry of Justice and the Court Administration Division, we are further improving case-flow management to help address backlogs to support expeditious resolution of court cases,” Mr. Khoday said.

He noted the project aligns with the UNDP’s Country Programme 2022 to 2026, which commits to enhancing capacities and bolstering legislative and regulatory frameworks consistent with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 16) which focuses on ‘Peace Justice and Strong Institutions’ and SDG 10, which aims to ‘Reduce inequality within and among countries’.

“The UNDP is proud to be in service to the Government and people of Jamaica in supporting this ambitious agenda and your vision to become a regional leader in facilitating effective access to justice for all,” Mr. Khoday said.

“I remain hopeful that by the end of project 2028 and by 2030 as the deadline year for the SDGs that we will witness a Jamaica where everyone can secure timely, effective and efficient justice. I believe we are on target to secure that vision for all Jamaicans,” the UNDP Representative added.

Mr. Khoday said the UNDP’s position on access to justice has been clear and unequivocal.

“We maintain that justice systems, services and institutions must be fair, accountable, accessible, and able to deliver quality justice services for all, especially the most marginalised and furthest behind. The UNDP believes that a people-centred approach to justice means that change efforts within the justice system must be guided by and be responsive to people’s everyday justice needs,” he said.