Access to Justice at the Center of SDG Progress: East African Countries

Abstract

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This chapter examines the failure of East African countries to effectively incorporate access to justice as part of their efforts to achieve progress under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16. By analyzing the United Nations Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) submitted by these countries to the UN General Assembly, the chapter assesses the implementation of the SDGs in the East African region and the integration of access to justice strategies across all SDGs. The authors argue that access to justice is crucial for the enforcement of rights and the advancement of the SDGs. However, based on their analysis of the VNRs, they find that East African countries have not adequately implemented access to justice policies to achieve SDG 16. They emphasize the need for additional policies to ensure that the population, especially the poor and marginalized, can access functional justice systems to assert their rights. The chapter begins with an introduction and a methodology section that explains the use of VNRs as a basis for analysis. It then explores the theoretical relationship between access to justice and development, demonstrating its significance in advancing other SDGs. The subsequent section examines the implementation of access to justice in the East African region, highlighting the limited attention given to expanding justice and discussing the challenges faced by these countries. In conclusion, the chapter emphasizes the need for greater prioritization of access to justice in all aspects of SDG policymaking. It provides a discussion on how countries can effectively integrate justice policies and programming into their SDG strategies. Overall, the chapter calls for stronger efforts to ensure that access to justice becomes a central component of the region's sustainable development agenda.