Rule of Law Working Group MTDS (GoT) priorities for the sector Develop mechanisms to ensure transparency of state and local authorities, including the introduction of mechanisms to give citizens and organizations information on the decisions taken by them (2.1.3); improving the quality of public services provided by the executive authorities; functions and the implementation of state social guarantees; increasing transparency and judicial independence, impartiality and professionalism of the judiciary; mechanisms of interaction between government, business and civil society development of a national system of evaluation and forecasting of social processes (4.1.3) Develop comprehensive measures aimed at preventing and reducing crimes, especially among youth and strengthening the systemic work with juvenile offenders (4.1.4)   These are from the MTDS 3.1.3, except for the last bullet which is from 4.1.3 RoL as such is not strongly represented in the MTDS; it is mentioned several times, but in passing. However, RoL *issues* appear repeatedly – everything from civil registration to judicial training. (it’s ‘cross-cutting’).

Donor Activity World Bank EU INL USAID OSI SDC Donor Support Rule of Law and Access to Justice Programme (with MFA Finland) Support to Civil Registration Reform in Tajikistan Domestic violence World Bank Private Sector Competitiveness Project EU Anti-torture, protection of refugees and migrant workers’ rights INL Justice sector development, legal reform, legal education reform, law enforcement reform USAID Local governance, land reform OSI Anti-torture, transparency and accountability   This is OF COURSE not everyone – mention OSCE (Womens’ centers, prison reform, trial monitoring and training, anti-torture coalition), SDC (Domestic violence), Danes (disability advocacy) etc. etc. Some coordination takes place through the WG. However, there is almost no coordination at the *planning* level. Also, donor funding is not rising at the moment.

What is missing? But is important for the sector development Better coordination with local stakeholders, both CSOs and government Better coordination on judicial reform Enforcement of judgments! More attention to international conventions (ex. OPCAT, CRPD, Convention on the Rights of the Child) Window of opportunity: next judicial legal reform program (planned in 2017, will begin 1/2018) Emphasize issues with enforcement (both from RoL and commercial POV) and with the JLRP. Last time, only UNDP, OSI and GIZ showed much interest. This is a chance to engage with the GoT to develop a comprehensive, effective reform plan.

Meaningful enforcement of CEDAW, especially domestic violence Results expected by 2020 Meaningful enforcement of CEDAW, especially domestic violence Functional system of state free legal aid Dramatic improvements in civil registration Dramatic improvements in functioning of cadaster Significant improvement in functioning of the Ombudsman’s Office Policy dialogue platform is institutionalized There are bright spots. However, over all this is not a sector that is seeing rapid and dramatic progress.