12 September 2007 - Implementation of a new UNDP project “Promotion of a wider application of international human rights standards in the administration of justice in Belarus” funded by the European Commission, UNDP and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) starts in September 2007. The national implementing agency of this two-year project is the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Belarus.

The project aims at improving the administration of justice in Belarus through improving access of justice sector professionals to information about the international human rights standards and relevant case law; familiarization with best international practices; development of recommendations for further improvement of national legislation and its application; and increased public awareness of the role of the judiciary in a democratic rule-of-law state.

“Constant improvement of national legislation and its application is an indispensable condition for development of a rule-of-law state in any country,” says UNDP Programme Officer, Alina Ostling. “Systematic perfection of the national justice system in line with the international standards and best practices is particularly important to ensure consistent respect for human rights.”

The project goals will be achieved through organization of a series of discussions and study trips for justice sector professionals, publication of materials on international standards and case law in the field of human rights, and release of social advertising explaining the role of the judiciary in a democratic state. The first discussion for justice sector professionals on the topic “Application of the international human rights standards in the administration of justice” will be held in Minsk on September 18, 2007.

“This project contains a very important informational component, which will not only improve access of justice sector professionals to the international human rights standards and best practices of their application at the national level, but will also contribute to raising the level of legal culture level of Belarusian citizens,” noted Alexander Petrash, First Deputy Minister of Justice of the Republic of Belarus, National Project Coordinator.

The Project Steering Committee comprises representatives of the Ministry of Justice, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Constitutional Court and the National Bar Association. The project will be implemented in partnership with the Supreme Court, the National Center of Law Drafting Activities under the auspices of the President of Belarus, the Chamber of Representatives of the National Assembly, the Institute for Retraining and Qualifications Upgrading of Judges, Prosecutors and Staff of Courts and Justice Establishments of the Belarusian State University, the Institute of the State and Law of the Academy of Sciences, and educational institutions.

For further information please refer to Project Manager Vasily Kuharchik, tel. 226-06-38, e-mail: , or Vladislav Khilkevich, UNDP Communications Associate, at 227-38-17, e-mail: .

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