The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) on 12 September 2018 organized a major CSO consultation workshop, bringing together 35 civil society representatives from different parts of the country to discuss how to further improve communication, coordination and cooperation.

It was held under the theme “Strengthening the Rule of Law in Liberia: Justice and Security for the Liberian People”.

Bringing together all the (16) CSO partners under the UNDP/OHCHR Joint Programme, the workshop provided an opportunity to discuss how to further improve the quality of the legal aid services provided, and how to monitor the performance of the different justice and security institutions.

UNDP and OHCHR are in the process of putting in place a comprehensive access to justice strategy engaging a wide range of civil society partners.

To this end, UNDP and OHCHR have launched a major Civil Society Initiative which focuses on, inter alia, providing legal aid and assistance to socially disadvantaged groups, further increasing legal literacy amongst local communities, and fostering accountability through various research, reporting and advocacy initiatives.

To date, UNDP and OHCHR have signed cooperation agreements with 16 CSOs and CBOs, including the Liberia National Law Enforcement Association (LINLEA), Prison Fellowship - Liberia (PFL), and the Association of Female Lawyers in Liberia (AFELL).