The Department of Political Affairs (DPA)
DPA photo.
DPA is engaged in various types of rule of law activities through its
oversight of political missions, its role in peacemaking and conflict
prevention, and a number of special projects.
DPA oversees the work of more than a dozen political missions in Africa, Asia
and the Middle East, the mandates of which
often include the strengthening of national justice systems, supporting human
rights and transitional justice mechanisms, and monitoring of rule of law conditions.
Through its central role in peacemaking, conflict prevention, good offices
and mediation, DPA is constantly involved in efforts aimed at peaceful
settlement of disputes. In particular, these may include negotiations on peace
agreements, which, in most cases, contain elements relating to rule of law such
as transitional justice, constitutional arrangements, judicial and security
sector reform. The Department’s Mediation Support Unit channels expertise on a
wide range of rule of law issues to UN mediators and partners in regional
organizations.
In the course of the past five years, DPA has been increasingly requested to
establish and support a variety of mechanisms mandated to conduct factual
investigations of various types. Their mandates and the context in which these
investigative commissions have been created have differed widely. They have
included:
- International Commission
Against Impunity in Guatemala
(CICIG). CICIG was established in 2007 with a multidimensional mandate to
help Guatemalan authorities identify and dismantle criminal networks that
have fostered organized crime and impunity. The Commission carries out
investigations and takes part in criminal proceedings together with
national authorities, using Guatemalan law and procedure; proposes public
policies to strengthen the justice system; and assists in the
implementation of technical assistance programmes.
- International Independent
Investigation Commission in Lebanon (UNIIIC). The
commission was established in April 2005 to investigate the assassination
of Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. Its original mandate was broadened at the
request of the Government of Lebanon to provide technical assistance to
national authorities concerning investigations into other attacks. The Commission ceased to function upon the opening of
the UN-assisted Special Tribunal for Lebanon on 1 February 2009,
when its Commissioner became the Prosecutor of the Special Tribunal.
- Commission of inquiry into
the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto (“Bhutto
Commission”). The commission, mandated to investigate the facts and
circumstances of the assassination of former Prime Minister Bhutto, began
work on 1 July 2009, and submitted a report to the Secretary-General in April
2010.
- Since 2009, the Department
houses the secretariat of the United Nations Counter-Terrorism
Implementation Task Force (CTITF), which coordinates UN actions to
implement the United Nations Counter-Terrorism Strategy.