Acting Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer delivered remarks at the United Nations' 2024 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development on July 11, 2024.
"Thank you, Mr. Chair," Mizer began. "On behalf of the U.S. Department of Justice, today I affirm the United States’ commitment to advance United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16), to provide access to justice for all, and to build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels."
Mizer highlighted that in the United States, access to justice remains out of reach for many individuals. He noted that legal assistance for essential needs such as housing and education is often difficult to obtain. "This challenge, which I know many of us face, is why Attorney General Garland has identified pursuing access to justice as an urgent task," he said.
He further explained that Attorney General Merrick Garland has revitalized the Office for Access to Justice with a directive to fulfill vital Presidential mandates, including aiding in SDG 16 implementation. The Office oversees the White House Legal Aid Interagency Roundtable, a collaboration of 28 federal agencies aimed at enhancing federal programs addressing basic human needs.
Mizer emphasized the importance of improved data collection in advancing equal access to justice. "In line with SDG 16, the Department of Justice is now piloting the first civil legal needs survey in the United States, expanding data on justice gaps across the civil legal system," he stated.
The Department is also focusing on strengthening access to legal assistance for those in prison and employing people-centered practices to promote accessibility and reduce poverty-related criminalization.
"Yet much more is required," Mizer acknowledged. He reflected on nearly a decade since the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals aimed at building a future where no one is left behind and noted ongoing national commitment to this mission.
"As President of the Conference of the State Parties to the UN Convention Against Corruption, the United States is prioritizing multistakeholder approaches to counter corruption, which can hinder access to justice," he said.
To further collaboration on SDG 16, Mizer announced that the Department of Justice will connect leaders and experts to generate knowledge and inspire action towards closing justice gaps in the U.S., while continuing to share practices with members of the Justice Action Coalition.
"We are clear-eyed about the challenges ahead," Mizer concluded. "Yet, more than ever before, we are leading innovative efforts to fulfill the core mission of SDG 16: to recognize the inherent dignity of every human being and advance inclusion for all."
"Thank you, Mr. Chair."
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