UNDP Resident Representative (RR) Magdy Martinez-Soliman paid a courtesy call on the Attorney General of Barbados, the Hon. Dale Marshall to formally introduce himself and to discuss the work that the UNDP Multi Country Office is undertaking to improve access to justice across the region.

During the visit, the RR discussed the ongoing work under the CariSECURE project, including the regional deployment of Police Records Management Information Systems (PRIMS) and the rollout of Crime Victimization Surveys which seek to capture how victims experience the justice system and can inform policies for improving the equity and efficiency in the administration of justice. Mr. Martinez-Soliman also used the opportunity to discuss emerging opportunities for collaboration and support, including the ongoing Needs Assessment Review (NAR) of the judiciaries of several countries across the Caribbean, which is being prepared by UNDP and will be presented to regional governments in the coming months.

In response, the Attorney General (AG) reaffirmed Government’s support for the CariSECURE project, with specific emphasis on the relevance of the use of technology to support law enforcement and to inform data-driven crime prevention policies. At the same time, the AG, who is also the Minister of Legal Affairs, noted his interest in the outcome of the NAR, adding that the Government has already embarked on a number of initiatives designed to improve access to justice which could be captured in and complemented by the findings of the NAR.

Since his arrival in July of 2019, the new RR has made similar calls on Government and key stakeholders across the countries covered by the MCO, including the Hon. Chief Justice, the Minister for the Blue Economy, the Minister for National Security, the Minister for Economic Affairs, the Minister of Labour, the Speaker of the House and the Leader of the Opposition.