Access to justice in CHT
UNDP launches project
UNB
The Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Facility (CHTDF) of UNDP yesterday announced the launch of a new project ensuring accessible justice in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), in partnership with the Embassy of Denmark, reports UNB.
The making formal and informal justice systems accessible for the CHT people project will continue until September 2016, said UNDP press release.
It will focus on ensuring justice and human rights institutions in the hill tracts are strengthened to serve and protect the rights of all citizens, including vulnerable groups. The project will take a holistic approach to delivering more accessible justice, building the capacity of both the formal and traditional justice systems to deliver legal support in the region. Target areas will include: (i) streamlining functions and building linkages between CHT institutions; (ii) supporting government and non-government organisation run legal aid; and (iii) gender based violence prevention, including rehabilitation packages.
Responding to the high rates of domestic violence in the region, specific attention will focus on improving womens access to justice.
The new project will complement the Facilitys existing work in the justice space, such as linking individuals and groups up with legal aid support services and training of local police.
The legal landscape in CHT is unique, particularly when you consider the regions ethnic diversity and customary laws. This project will support a more inclusive and robust justice system for all people in the region, said Prasenjit Chakma, chief - Policy and Advocacy, CHTDF.
CHTDF, implemented by UNDP, promotes sustainable development in CHT in partnership with USAID and the embassies of Denmark and Sweden.
