Support for Afghanistan's Justice Sector: State Department Programs Need Better Management and Stronger Oversight

Since reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan began in 2001, the U. S. government, the international community, and the Afghan government have made improving Afghanistan?s justice system a priority. Key documents have noted the importance of the justice sector, including the U. S. government?s Integrated Civilian-Military Campaign Plan for Support to Afghanistan and the Afghan Government?s National Priority Programs focus on strengthening Afghan rule of law and Afghan citizens? access to justice. The Department of State (State) has invested in a variety of rule of law programs since 2005, including programs managed by its Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) to train Afghan justice sector personnel. State also serves as the lead coordinator for U. S. justice sector development efforts in Afghanistan, responsible for coordinating the activities of several U. S. agencies, including the U. S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of Justice. INL has spent approximately $205.5 million on its Justice Sector Support Program (JSSP) to provide training to Afghan justice sector officials, to develop a case management system to track cases throughout Afghanistan?s justice system, and to build the capacity and administrative skills of officials within Afghan ministries