Access to justice is a cornerstone of prevention. When justice systems address people’s needs early, ensure accountability, before grievances escalate into violence or instability they protect developmental gains, strengthen resilience, and restore trust within communities and between them and the state. These are foundational conditions for strong democracies.
This statement was presented by Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the United Nations in New York, Dr. Bahia Tahzib-Lie, on behalf of the Justice Action Coalition, during the SDG16 Conference on June 17, 2026.
The statement underscores the urgent need to treat justice as a foundational, yet under-leveraged, tool for prevention, accountability, and social cohesion at a time of compounding global challenges. It calls for people-centered justice reforms, stronger cross-sectoral coordination, expanded evidence and data on justice outcomes, and increased financing through the Justice Financing Framework — framing equal access to justice as an essential condition for peaceful, inclusive, and resilient societies.
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