Training of justice officials to strengthen the rule of law

July 26, 2021

Presentation of certificate to one of the training participants by the UNDP RR, Mr. Tjark Egenhoff . Photo: UNDP, 2021

The existence of justice providers to ensure compliance with the laws and their effective implementation is essential for the well-being of populations. This is the main message of the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Tjark Egenhoff, at the closing ceremony of the first initial training course for justice officials in Bissau, at the Palace of Justice, on 15 July 2021.

"Justice is fundamental for the consolidation of the social contract between the citizens and the State based on the principles of the State of Law. It is therefore not enough to have modern codes and laws, but equally important is to have justice providers that ensure compliance with the laws and their effective implementation,” said Tjark Engenhoff.

The first six-months initial training course for justice officials is part of the justice reform framework and has financial support from the UNDP and the African Development Bank (ADB).

From this first course, 156 officials have been trained to ensure greater and effective provision of services, greater transparency, protection of human rights and access to justice for the entire Guinean population.

 "In a modern context, it is the duty of justice officials to ensure the preservation of the authority and integrity of justice, fight and denounce all forms of corruption in the system and contribute to procedural speed, as well as ensure the exemption in the fulfillment of judicial decisions and abstain to use justice for purposes that are alien to them”, said the Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Mamadu Iaia Djaló, who was also present at the ceremony.

Iaia Djaló highlighted that, in recent years, the government has focused its actions on class reform, which enabled the adoption of its own class management structure called the council of justice officials and an autonomous inspection service.

In turn, the director of the National Judicial Training Center, João Mendes Pereira, highlighted the importance of specific training before assuming any kind of role to improve their knowledge related to daily life and contribute to minimizing the lack of justice operators in the various Guinea-Bissau courts.

In Guinea-Bissau, delays are identified as the greatest difficulty in the justice sector.  It is expected that, with this first training, the officers will help to overcome the related difficulties, and respond to the growing demands of citizens, who are looking for swift and effective justice.

UNDP will continue to support and accompany the efforts of national authorities to strengthen the rule of law with a view to consolidating peace in Guinea-Bissau.