SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL16: PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS

 

Peace, stability, human rights and effective governance, based on the rule of law are central to the realization of child rights; and a prerequisite for sustainable development.

The 16th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG16) to 'Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels' represents a new milestone compared with the earlier millennium development goals.

High levels of violence, conflict, insecurity, crime and exploitation have a profound impact on sustainable development.

To achieve universal recognition, SDG16 leaves out explicit reference to internationally recognized political and civil rights norms, attracting some criticism.

Violent conflicts continue to affect many parts of the world, societal violence remains widespread in many countries and violence against children in particular remains a pervasive phenomenon, especially in developing countries.

From the Global Strategy to the 'new consensus on development', various policy documents acknowledge the crucial role of peace, democracy, human rights and the rule of law for sustainable development.

One of the most innovative dimensions of SDG16 is that it does not limit its focus to intra- and interstate conflicts.

SDG16 emphasizes that all forms of violence should be eliminated.

This potentially includes widespread criminality or the least visible forms of all: violence against children.

Violence in all its forms is strongly related to poor quality of governance, absence of rule of law and disrespect for fundamental freedoms.

State security forces that are not held accountable when they act without due respect for human rights set off a dangerous spiral of violence.

SDG16 states explicitly only a general commitment 'to protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements'.

While the right to access justice applies equally to children and adults, it is often overlooked in relation to children in contact with the law - whether as alleged offenders, victims or witnesses.

Inclusive societies ought to engage people as equal participants in decision-making, policy-making and law-making processes, implementation and scrutiny.

Children should not be excluded from processes and decisions that affect them and society more broadly based on their age, gender, disability, or other status. 

Addressing all forms of violence, abuse and exploitation of children requires increased investment in data collection and analysis to improve the evidence base for policy making, planning and programming and in working towards filling information gaps.

Opening up budgets and promoting participatory budget processes is a key component in achieving effective, accountable and transparent institutions.

When citizens have a say in policy formulation and resource allocation, it contributes to the allocate efficiency of national public financial management and enables better tracking of expenditure that is responsive to children's concerns and good value for money.

UNICEF urges all governments to promote the meaningful participation of children in society and to provide an environment that enables the child to exercise their rights (including to be heard) without discrimination.

Actively involve children, adolescents and youth, especially the poorest and most vulnerable, in local and national planning processes in development and humanitarian contexts through consultation and other participatory means, and as part of ongoing efforts to make children, adolescents and youth aware of these issues, inspire their positive action and expand the space for their participation in accountability mechanisms and activities.

Provide spaces for children, adolescents and youth to learn about, discuss and take action on the SDGs, including Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

SDG 16 also sets targets to combat organized crime and illicit arms flows.

Both these issues have a detrimental impact on the security and stability of a state as they threaten the state monopoly over the legitimate use of coercive force.

Weak and dysfunctional security and justice institutions perpetuate conflict, injustice, and human rights violations that affect the entire population, in particular those who are already marginalized.

They erode public trust and threaten the legitimacy of government institutions overall.

Corruption within the security sector inhibits the efficient functioning of actors, such as law enforcement officers and justice system officials, but these actors themselves are instrumental in fighting corruption.

Combating corruption within the security sector is difficult given the sensitive nature of many topics.

Therefore, there is a need for nuanced and long-term efforts to ensure that the security sector serves the society as a whole and that public funding is properly accounted for.

These efforts include the creation and continuous strengthening of anticorruption agencies and complaints procedures. 

With SDG 16, the 2030 Agenda explicitly recognizes the importance of strong

institutions for sustainable development.

Thanks for Reading!!!

Like, Share and Comment!!!