Conflict is a strong predictor of future violence. When countries fail to establish the rule of law, justice and security after a conflict or crisis, the chances of recurrent violence are very high. Through the Global Programme to Strengthen the Rule of law in Crisis-Affected and Fragile Situations, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) partners with national governments and communities to reverse this state of affairs. These partnerships help establish capable and responsive justice and security institutions and empower ordinary people to contribute to transformational chan.

Since the inception of the Global Programme in 2008, UNDP has partnered with societies affected by crisis and fragility to support the development of nationally-led processes and institutions which embody the rule of law. Through its sustained assistance to over 37 countries, UNDP supports a range of justice and security initiatives that enable national partners to: (1) Increase safety and security for all, (2) Deal with the legacy of violence; (3) Build confidence through accessible and effective justice and security institutions, and (40 Improve the delivery of justice and security for women.

Highlights

• On 9 April 2012, El Salvador recorded its first day without a murder since 2009. In El Salvador, UNDP contributed to reduced murder rates by an average of 12 percent in 20 of the country's most violent cities. 27 municipalities have received UNDP support to implement citizen security plans. According to official Government data, these efforts have resulted in an average reduction of armed violence incidents by 41.5 percent.
• In 2012, UNDP supported the development of a national database for small arms management in Burundi. This database compilies with the Nairobi protocol for the Prevention, Control and Reduction of SALW in the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa, and will allow for better management of small arms within the country.
• In Colombia, UNDP continues to provide support to transitional justice through the Transitional Justice Basket Fund, which allows for the provision of support to victims of armed conflict. By the end of 2012, 46,330 people benefitted from increased access to justice and reparations. Additionally, 22 municipalities received support to establish transitiional justice commitees under the provisions of the Victim's Reparation and Land Restitution Law." Through this support, UNDP continues to assist Colombia in dealing with the legacy of violence.

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