Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reached an agreement to implement a programme supporting the Supreme Court of Nepal and Ministry of Law and Justice, Constituent Assembly and Parliamentary Affairs in minimising impunity and protecting and promoting access to justice for thousands of poor and vulnerable people.
The programme seeks to increase access to justice for thousands of poor and vulnerable communities, while increasing court judgments implementation to 50 per cent, according to a press release issued by UNDP Nepal office today.
Under the terms of the agreement, Finland will launch a 5.4 million euro project, which will run for the next four years.
Finnish ambassador to Nepal Asko Luukkainen and UNDP country director Shoko Noda signed the agreement to implement ‘Strengthening Rule of Law and Human Rights Programme,’ today at the Supreme Court in the presence of justice Kalyan Shrestha and senior court officials.
“The effective implementation of the programme will be critical in enhancing justice delivery system through case management and strengthening justice sector coordination among rule of law institutions in Nepal,” Shrestha said, on the occasion, adding that the programme could make substantive difference in enhancing the court-client relation through improved service delivery.
Likewise, Finnish ambassador Luukkainen, on the occasion said that he expects the programme will significantly contribute to more accessible and accountable justice, security and human rights institutions and more vulnerable people will be benefiting from legal aid services. “The start of this ambitious Rule of Law sector programme is a great example of country ownership as well as harmonisation both among the development partners and government agencies,” he added.
Norway and UN Peace Fund are also supporting the programme.