Q & A with our Senior Legal Reform Advisor, Pia Horttanainen
Please tell us a bit about yourself and your background?
I’m a legal expert seconded by Finland to the Mission, and have worked in both the private and public sectors. During the last seven years, my main focus and legal expertise has been on fragile and post-conflict contexts, rule of law, development cooperation, humanitarian aid, and peace mediation. My permanent position is Legal Counsellor at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, and I have also served as a substituting Counsellor at the Embassy of Finland in Kabul Afghanistan. Prior to these, I was a Legal Officer at the Army Command Finland which followed a career in the private sector.
Can you tell us what the criminal justice chain is and how it contributes to security?
The criminal justice chain refers to all the institutions and activities that are involved in the prosecution of a crime, such as the police, attorney general and prosecutor’s offices, courts, detention and prisons.
A fair, accountable, transparent and responsive criminal justice chain is a prerequisite for effective rule of law, which contributes to long-lasting security and ability for individuals to trust that crimes and violence can be dealt with through legitimate processes. It is also a precondition for economic development of the country. The strength and effectiveness of individual actors such as law enforcement agencies, prosecution and judiciary affect how well the criminal justice chain functions. And the chain is as strong as its weakest link. So successful improvements in the maritime sector and wider policing arenas also requires connected and comprehensive development in rule of law.
How is EUCAP Somalia supporting this area?
As part of our work to support maritime security and police development, EUCAP Somalia supports the Somali authorities to develop a sound legislation and regulatory frameworks which are aligned with international standards. Further the Mission supports Somali partners also to implement this legislation in the daily practice. Therefore the Mission works with the Somali Police Force, judicial authorities and the prosecutorial service, by providing mentoring, advice and resources on the maritime and wider law enforcement criminal justice chain, and working to improve cooperation and interaction between all criminal justice actors. This includes supporting cross-cutting issues such as gender justice and human rights, which also contribute to long-lasting peace and security.
