Rule of law

The legal system can play an important role in supporting poverty reduction. The rule of law promotes social development by strengthening the voices of individuals and communities. It also promotes economic development by establishing a level playing field where businesses can thrive, encouraging foreign investment, and combatting corruption.

When the rule of law is not effectively and predictably enforced by the justice and security system, people and their livelihoods are vulnerable to:

• insecurity
• predatory practices
• violations of human rights which threaten their well-being and hinder their opportunities to improve their lives

The implementation of new equitable laws and justice sector reforms can provide the foundation for the protection of human rights and enable poor people to realize their full potential.

However, changing laws on paper is not enough to improve the lives of poor people. The rule of law can also be strengthened by:

• increasing accessibility, practicality and effectiveness of the legal and judicial systems
• developing low-cost justice delivery models to improve access to justice and legally empower the poor
• understanding the political and power context and ensuring institutions have the capacity to serve all people

Effective and responsive juvenile justice systems

In Ukraine, Canada supports the development of a more effective and responsive juvenile justice system that is in line with international standards.

The project aims to build a juvenile justice system which incorporates restorative justice principles, effectively protects youth and supports their rehabilitation and reintegration in communities. Working with:

• judges
• legal professionals
• government officials at the national and local level and
• civil society

Increasing rule of law

In Guatemala, Canada supports the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) which aims to contribute to increasing the rule of law.

In order to do so, the international commission seeks to strengthen the Government of Guatemala’s capacity to:

• investigate and prosecute organized crime
• conduct criminal investigations
• act as a complementary prosecutor in criminal prosecutions
• propose improvements to the legislative framework to better fight organized crime

The Commission also aims to inform all sectors of the Guatemalan society on its mandate and successes through communication materials, regular meetings, and public events.