Summary

Aligned with the Lebanon Response Plan (LRP), and the Recovery, Reform and Reconstruction Framework (3RF), the Security and Justice project has the promotion of social stability and safeguarding of human rights at its core. It seeks to safeguard, reform and transform security and justice service delivery for crisis affected populations in Lebanon.

Background

Justice and security institutions are facing unprecedented challenges in the current Lebanese context, characterised by a multidimensional crisis that has exacerbated people’s vulnerabilities, devastated the national economy, pushed thousands into poverty, and deeply affected stability throughout the country. These challenges are eroding women and vulnerable groups’ protection space and increasing the risk of human rights violations.

The current crisis is threatening the core functioning of rule of law institutions, with the concern now too often shifting from “inefficient” service delivery to “incapacity” to ensure basic security and justice services. Such a trend is contributing to worsening the security context - actual and perceived - fueling further distrust in the State and translating into increased recourse to informal security and justice arrangements.

The effective, accountable and inclusive functioning of security and justice institutions is a sine qua non condition for creating and maintaining a conducive environment for implementing the reform agenda, laying the groundwork for the needed redefinition of the social contract, while safeguarding the rights of an increasingly embattled population, especially women. Stability and, by extension, development hinge on the people of Lebanon having a sense of security derived from Rule of law institutions that can define and enforce rights and obligations; settle disputes in a predictable manner that encourages fair competition and economic growth; and can guarantee that all, regardless of gender,  are treated equally and in a human-rights-compliant manner.

In response, UNDP is putting forward an integrated three-track approach which aims at safeguarding, reforming and transforming security and justice service delivery for crisis-affected populations in Lebanon: 

•  Track 1: Preventing the collapse of security and justice institutions by safeguarding their effective functioning and gender-responsive service delivery, through targeted and punctual support.
• Track 2: Supporting the comprehensive development and implementation of the reform of security and justice institutions, with a strong focus on oversight, accountability and gender-inclusion. 
• Track 3: Consolidating and expanding the ongoing people-centered and gender transformation of security and justice institutions as an instrument of social cohesion and stability.