Joint Rule of Law Programme 2015-2016

Quarter 1 2016 Newsletter

Construction of Mogadishu Prison and Court Complex

In the commencement ceremony, held 18 February 2016, the Somalia’s Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke laid the corner stone of what will become the 1,000 bed Mogadishu Prison and Court Complex (MPCC) in Mogadishu, Somalia. UNODC has extended support to the Federal Government of Somalia in providing resources and technical expertise in the design and construction. UNODC designed the MPCC based on past experiences in prison construction and refurbishment in Somalia and Somaliland. The MPCC is being constructed on the north-western edge of the city alongside the Somali Custodial Corps Headquarters. The initial phase, ‘Phase 1A’ is being funded by the governments of Denmark, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, along with the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund. Continued on page 2.

In this edition:

1. Construction of the Mogadishu prison and court complex (1-2);

2. Police Model workshop (3)

3. Handover of Vehicles in Somaliland (4)

4. Custodial corps commanders conference (4)

5. Meet Safiyo Jama Gayre (5)

6. Establishing Gender Units (5)

7. Gender-Responsive Police Services (6)

Somalia’s Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke lays a foundation stone at the site on 18 Feb 2016. UNODC Photo 2016.

Joint Rule of Law Programme Quarterly Newsletter 2

Construction of Mogadishu Prison and Court Complex (continued from page 1). Since the return of relative stability in South Central Somalia, significant efforts on the part of the Somali Federal Government and the international community have been placed into rebuilding Somalia’s National justice institutions. Following decades of conflict and ongoing terrorist activity, the infrastructure needs of the country are immense. The security sector has been left with, at best, limited and broken buildings to house important institutions and functions of the government and security sector. Al-Shabaab continue to carry out acts of destruction and intimidation against judicial actors and infrastructure. Terrorists are degrading the country’s ability to develop and enforce its rule of law while enjoying the impunity that a weak system and infrastructure allow. One example of this was the tragic incident of April 2013 when the attacks on the Benadir Court Complex in Mogadishu, caused 30 civilian fatalities. Construction of a secure court complex became imminent, particularly in order to process high risk cases.

Phase 1A will include construction of two courtrooms, self-contained accommodation for judicial staff, and a 240 bed high security prison block with a secure walkway to the court complex. The MPCC will prevent high risk cases from being diverted to military courts outside of their jurisdiction, based on security concerns. This complex needed to provide accommodation for judicial staff during trials to prevent unnecessary exposure to danger while to and from the courts, and the colocation of a high security prison facility to eliminate the needs to transport prisoners between the prison and the courts – which is a critical vulnerability in terms of capacity to provide secure transport, and the risk of break out attempts while prisoners are moving. It is expected that the MPCC will begin trials by mid-2017.

Future construction will include an intake/ release building, kitchens and storage, vocational training facilities and an additional 760 medium security beds across 3 separate prison blocks. The UNODC project also incorporates Custodial Corps training courses for prison staff, and implementation of a counter violent extremism programme as part of the wider Federal Government counter terrorism strategy. Subsequent phases are unfunded at this time, but can be constructed concurrently as more donor support is received.

ABOUT

The Joint Rule of Law Programme is co-funded by the Multi-Partner Trust Fund and bi-lateral donors. The Programme aims at

enhancing capacity of Somalia’s Rule of Law System to cater to the needs of all, and especially vulnerable groups. To achieve

this strategic objective, the Programme is structured around two interrelated outcomes. The Programme combines long term

institutional memory and commitment, expert knowledge, while building onto a decade worth of results in the areas of

Security Sector Reform, Access to Justice and Policing.

Through the Programme, the Somali New Deal Compact Peace and State-building PSG 2: Security, and PSG 3: Justice, the following specific priorities are addressed:

PSG 2: Security, priority areas (1) Strengthen the capacity and accountability of state institutions to recover territory; and (2) Stabilize and provide basic safety and security (policing component)

PSG 3: Justice, priority areas (1) Key priority laws in the legal framework are aligned with the Provisional Constitution and international standards; (2) Justice institutions start to address the key grievances and injustices of Somalis; and (3) More Somalis have access to fair and affordable justice.

This programme is implemented by the following actors: UNSOM, UNDP, UNWOMEN, UNOPS, UNICEF, UNODC, and IOM.

“Lawyers and judges will be able to hear trials in a safe and secure environment, and those awaiting trial for the most serious crimes will have a protective and humane environment that upholds their fundamental human rights.” Yury Fedotov, Executive Director of UNODC.

Joint Rule of Law Programme Quarterly Newsletter 3

Reforming the Police in Somalia: The New Policing Model and the Heegan Plan

A consultative conference was held in Nairobi, Kenya, from 21-24 March 2016, for the Federal

Level Somali police authorities, resulting in an endorsed New Policing Model (NPM) and

Refreshed Heegan Plan.

Developing the Somali Police is one of the key elements to providing safety and security to the local population. The NPM and the Heegan Plan support critical security sector development through the restructuring of the Police within the federal context while clearly outlining the roles and responsibilities of the respective political authorities. These plans will also support organizational development strategy involving staffing, training, infrastructure, equipment, and management.

This week’s conference moved these preliminary discussions forward involving political authorities accountable for policing reform. The consultative conference provided a knowledge sharing platform to discuss critical issues involving the NPM and the needed strategic support to implement the Heegan Plan. The refreshed Heegan Plan will be an inclusive long-term strategic planning document guiding actions over 2017--‐2025.

Minister of Internal Security H. E. Abdirizak Omar Mohamed thanked UNPOL and UNDP in their

efforts to support the ministry and build the capacity of Ministry's staff and for facilitating

consultation meeting on the New Police Model during the workshop. The conference was

supported by UNSOM Police and AMISOM Police and UNDP.

Participants in the Somalia National Police Model Workshop, held 21-24 March 2016 in Nairobi Kenya. UNDP Photo 2016.

Meeting with Sub-

National Entities

Police and Justice section of

Rule of Law and Security

Institutions Group (ROLSIG)

and UNDP Rule of Law

representative met the

President of the Interim

South West Administration,

His Excellency Mr. Sharif

Hassan Sheikh Adan, and

his Ministers of Security

and Justice to present the

upcoming consultative

conferences on the New

Policing Model and the

New Justice Model, as well

as the Somalia Joint Rule of

law Programme.

The President stressed the

importance of this

consultative approach,

bringing together the

federal and the member

state levels to discuss the

future structures of the

police and justice, including

the related political power

sharing. He emphasized the

need to establish

functioning justice and

policing institutions in

order to uphold security

and call upon the

International Community to

invest heavily in both

sectors and ensured the UN

of its full support to the

development of the models

as well as the

implementation of the

project.

Stakeholders Requirement Gathering Workshop for Prisons and Courts Design

A workshop was held from 29 February–1 March 2016 in order to build consensus around

planning for Model Prisons and Courts. Representatives from the Ministry of Justice of

each the FGS and state governments participated.

Joint Rule of Law Programme Quarterly Newsletter 4

Meet Safiyo Jama Gayre, Student of Law

Safiyo Jama Gayre, 52 years old woman, is a student of

Puntland State University where she studies at the faculty

of Sharia and Law. When asked about her motivation to

become a lawyer, she replied:

“I am mother and grandmother, and I wanted my life to mean something more. Also, I am a person who loves school and would go forever if I could. This Scholarship changed my life and I am very grateful to UNDP for that opportunity. I had always wanted to go to law school so I was able to fulfill a dream and in fulfilling that dream I am able now to be a role model for my children and grandchildren. I am the first member in my family with a law degree. I would like to inspire many Somali women to enter law school; it’s never too late to create a life you love. I will be graduating this year and I am hoping to go anywhere in Somalia to be a lawyer”.

Establishment of Gender Responsive Community-Policing Units in Somaliland

On 15 December 2015, the Somaliland Police Commissioner launched a 3-day

community-policing workshop for 20 police officers and 20 community members who

were selected from 2 districts, “26 June” and Ahmed Dhagah in Hargeisa city. The

purpose of this event was twofold, to train the police and community members on the

Community Policing concepts and activities; and to establish pilot gender-responsive

community-policing units. This activity is part of Somaliland Strategic Plan; a priority

which UNDP is committed to support. If this pilot initiative is expected to help both the

police and the community to reduce crime and also improve security with the places

they reside and do business.

Safiyo Jama Gayre, Garowe, Puntland. UNDP Photo 2016.

“Thanks to UNDP, Joint

Rule of Law Programme,

the technical and

financial support that has

been regularly provided

to the Somaliland Police

for the past years. If the

relationship between

police and its community

is built will not only

enable the police to

deliver it services in

better way but also will

have positive impact the

lives of its citizens as

whole”— Abdillahi Fadal

Iiman, Somaliland Police

Commissioner

Gender Responsive Community-Policing Units and Training Workshop 15 December 2015. UNDP Photo, 2015.

Joint Rule of Law Programme Quarterly Newsletter 5

Handover of 10 Vehicles to Somaliland Mobile courts and Custodial Corps

In a handover ceremony, held 28 January 2016, UNDP provided 10 Vehicles to the Mobile Courts and Custodial Corps of Somaliland. The official handover was carried out by the Head of UNDP Area Office Hargeisa, a.i., Sergei Pushkarev, and UNDP Governance and Rule of Law Programme Manager, Franco Sanchez. Hon. Adam Haji Ali, the Somaliland Chief Justice accepted 5 vehicles for Mobile courts. Mr. Khadar Ahmed Diriye, the Director General of the Somaliland Ministry of Justice representing the Custodial corps also received 5 vehicles for the prisons transport. This hand over is part of the Joint Programme commitments whereby the agencies ensure that the partners have the critical hardware in order to efficiently carry out their functions including outreach and support to the rural communities with increased mobile outreach.

CUSTODIAL CORPS COMMANDERS CONFERENCE

On 16 February 2016, UNSOM attended the opening session of the inaugural conference of Commanders of the Somalia Custodial Corps at the Custodial Corps headquarters in Mogadishu. The Commissioner-General of the Custodial Corps Mogadishu at the temporary headquarters of the Custodial Corps. Participants included the Deputy Prime Minister of Somalia, the FGS Minister of Justice, and the Attorney General. The purpose of the conference was to bring together the commanders from the regions, and strategize the future direction for the Somalia Custodial Service.

The conference was supported by the Rule of Law Joint Programme under the Justice and Corrections Model. UNSOM facilitated the conference, making it possible for regional Commanders to travel to Mogadishu to participate.

The Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Justice, Attorney General and the Commissioner General of the Custodial Corps at the inaugural Custodial Corps Commanders Conference in Mogadishu. UNSOM Photo 2016

Vehicle handover Ceremony, Hargeisa Somaliland January 2016. UNDP Photo 2016.

UPCOMING EVENTS IN QUARTER 2 2016

With UNPOL support, the Police

Project Coordination Cell (PPCC) is

expected to start in April.

The Federal Level Justice Model

Workshop is postponed until April

2016 (UNSOM and UNDP).

With UNDP support a legislative

drafting training will be held for

the Policy and Legal Drafting

Units.

A training is planned for the

Puntland Bar Association in

coordination FGS MOJ and Somali

Bar Association (UNDP).

A Somali Bar Association

Workshop will take place in April

with UNDP support.

A survey will be conducted on the

situation of women in police

forces by the SPF Gender Unit

with UNWOMEN support.

UNWOMEN will support the

formal establishment of Gender

Units in MOJ and MOJRAR and

trainings on Bangkok Rules for

Custodial Corps officers and

commanders.

UNICEF will support finalization

and validation of the new Juvenile

Justice Bill of Puntland;

submission of the bill to the next

parliament session in May/June;

and Presentation of Children’s Act

to Parliament in Somaliland.

Orientation and advocacy

sessions on Convention on Rights

of the Child parliaments, policy

makers and line ministries will be

supported by UNICEF.

UNICEF will support a workshop

with Justice sector stakeholders in

Puntland on Case Management

Systems for juveniles.

Joint Rule of Law Programme Quarterly Newsletter 6

Somali Police Force moving forward towards Gender- Responsive Police Services

The Somali Police Force (SPF) is actively engaged in the promotion of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment as part of the development of police structures across Somalia. A first step in this sense was taken with the training of police officers on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and the set-up of four Gender Desks in Police Stations in November 2015. Both initiatives were supported by AMISOM. Further significant progress was made in December 2015 with the formal establishment of the Gender Unit at SPF central level. The initiatives are part of a process to improve the police services especially for women and girls. The overall approach focuses on strengthening gender equality and women’s empowerment at institutional and community level. Gender equality is thus a key element of Somali National Police planning for 2016 and it is strongly supported through UN programmes and interventions, including the Rule of Law Joint Programme.

Within this framework, UNPOL and UN Women conducted a visit in March 2016 to the Abdul Aziz Police station at Lido Beach to assess the current services provided through the SPF Gender Desk. The field visit was facilitated by the Head of SPF Gender Unit, Idiletta Hassan, and the Head of the Police station Gender Desk, Zamzam Cisman Ahmed. The two coordinators gave evidence of the specialized services provided by the Gender Desk and the structures in place to support them. They also described the fruitful collaboration existing between the diverse SPF gender structures. UNPOL and UN Women monitored the centre and have ensured that there is capacity for management of sexual and gender-based violence cases are in place at the police station level. This has significantly contributed to improve the quality of services provided to women and girls, and particularly for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

Contributors

This edition’s contributors included Paola Foschiatto (UNWOMEN); Mia Tuominen (UNPOL); Andrew Mclaughlin (UNODC); Francis A. K. Benon (UNSOM); David Bruce (UNDP); Abdisalam Farah (UNDP), Sahra Bile (UNDP); Hawo Idil Omar Mohamud (UNDP); Saed Ali Abdillahi (UNDP); Luca Bruccheri (UNDP). This edition of the Joint Rule of Law Programme Newsletter was edited by Lindsey Peterson (lindsey.peterson@undp.org).

Women’s policing. Head of SPF Gender Unit, Idiletta Hassan (top), and the Head of the Police Station Gender Desk, Zamzam Cisman Ahmed (bottom). UNWOMEN and UNPOL Photo 2016.

IN OTHER NEWS

A Validation workshop

for the PL Lawyers Act

was held in January

2016.

The Mid-Term Review

for the implementation

National Justice Reform

Strategy for Somaliland

was held 12—13

January.

A legal Radio awareness

programme was held in

PL on the rights of the

vulnerable (i.e. women,

children and IDPs)

informing communities

of services provided by

the courts, legal aid

providers, ADR and

mobile courts.

The PL Sexual Offences

Act was enacted by

parliament.

The Joint Rule of law

programme review

meeting was held 9

February in Garowe PL.

Youth Volunteer

Employment Initiative

training was held in

Mogadishu 5-9 March

2016.