Joint Statement of NPWJ and the JRR Coordination Group
Justice Rapid Response (JRR), the intergovernmental stand-by facility of readily deployable criminal justice experts trained in international investigations, has begun to transition its organizational and operational structures to reflect its intergovernmental nature and evolve to better meet the requirements for its services. Operational for just over a year, JRR currently has over 50 participating States and around 20 organizations. Through an accelerated training program it has built up a roster of just over 100 experts and has already deployed successfully on four investigative missions. Founded on the principles of easy, flexible participation and cost effective operations, JRR’s secretariat functions have been ably carried out by the non-governmental organisation No Peace Without Justice (NPWJ) since 2006, when JRR was still in its developmental phase.
The international community continues increasingly to embrace the use of investigative missions to assist in its decision-making. Human rights standards and the upholding of international justice are more and more becoming recognized components of building sustainable peace. There is, therefore, a growing need for the services of readily deployable, internationally trained experts to carry out this work and who can be made available through an intergovernmental facility. This likely continuing growth in demand means that JRR has to transition from its initial operational phase of relying on capable, non-governmental structural and operational support, to a clear intergovernmental status. The fact that it is an intergovernmental entity that is providing the timely services of internationally trained criminal justice experts is one of the significant contributions that JRR can make to the international community.
To commence this transition, JRR is undertaking a strategic and business review process. This will help to determine the optimum organizational and operational structure for JRR to meet evolving demand as an intergovernmental entity, while maintaining its commitment to the core principles of flexible participation and cost efficient operations. To ensure that JRR’s secretariat functions will continue to operate seamlessly during the period of transition the JRR Coordination Group agreed that a transitional secretariat will be based in Berne, Switzerland, with a JRR Secretariat Manager provided through the Swiss Expert Pool for Civilian Peace Building.
JRR thanks NPWJ for its work and its substantive contribution during the time it served as JRR secretariat. This was instrumental in JRR becoming functional so quickly and to enable JRR to make a positive contribution to the international community. The states active in JRR and NPWJ are together responsible for this success, which is a positive example of state/civil society cooperation. JRR’s Coordinating Group wishes to thank NPWJ for its dedication and contribution, and looks forward to cooperation with NPWJ in the future.
NPWJ thanks the JRR Coordinating Group and all JRR participants for their work in bringing JRR to this stage. NPWJ is honoured to have had the opportunity to serve as JRR Secretariat during its conceptual development and initial operational stage and looks forward to the continued growth of JRR and to providing what assistance it can in the future.
For additional information the Transitional JRR Secretariat can be contacted by email, jrr.secretariat@gmail.com, or by telephone, +41 31 322 87 27. The JRR Chair can be contacted at jrr.chair@gmail.com and at: +1 212 980 0193.
