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Description
The project aims to enhance the capacity and increase knowledge of the Office of the Public Defender of Rights resulting in reinforced impact of its analytical and research activities and streamlined employment of national and international human rights standards in their activities and fieldwork aiming at improving the situation of vulnerable and marginalised groups in terms of the protection of their rights.
The project will, inter alia, include the following main activities:
- Capacity-building of The Office of the Public Defender of Rights,
- Strengthening the prevention of ill-treatment through:
- Strengthening the capacity to monitor the practical implementation of human rights standards in detention facilities,
- Make recommendations for improvements,
- Develop a new system and methodology (handbook) for effective follow-up visits,
- Development of a new system on evaluation of implementation of Public Defender of Rights’ recommendations on prevention of ill-treatment in detention facilities and
- Development of educational materials and provide trainings (workshops / seminars) on prevention of ill-treatment for detention facilities’ personnel,
- Strengthening the protection of vulnerable children and their families and children''s rights and
- Strengthening the capacity of the Public Defender of Rights to promote equal treatment through:
- Systematically monitoring the implementation of recommendations of international human rights bodies,
- Publication of evaluation reports,
- Development of a methodology (handbook) and
- Conducting training based on the monitoring and research for the internal staff of the Office of the Public Defender of Rights and personnel of the relevant institutions (authorities, duty bearers).
Summary of project results
Thanks to the reinforcement of staff, the project promoter carried out analytical, research and awareness-raising activities oriented towards vulnerable groups and the protection of their rights. The project was focused on: the application of international and national human rights instruments, prevention of ill-treatment, protection of children at risk and their families, equal treatment, and monitoring the rights of people with disabilities.
Thanks to the partnership with Norwegian National Human Rights Institution, the project promoter prepared an article on this issue and organised a round table. Selected outputs were analyzed and internal lawyers were trained from a human rights and constitutional perspective. The project promoter conducted follow-up visits to selected facilities and developed a methodology for conducting these visits and a system for evaluating recommendations. The project promoter also trained staff in facilities where personal liberty is restricted, mapped the situation in protection of children at risk and their families, trained social workers and implemented awareness-raising activities. Furthermore, the activities of selected institutions related to the issue of equal treatment were monitored. Altogether 5 researches in the field of equal treatment law with follow-up workshops and recommendations from the Ombudsman were realized. An e-learning course was prepared and testing of the clarity of the Defender''s outputs was realized.
The outputs are in the form of 20 reports from follow-up visits to facilities, 4 monitoring reports, 5 researches and 5 workshops on equal treatment, 4 recommendations on the protection of children''s rights, 17 awareness-raising materials and activities for children, and an article on National Human Rights Institution that can be read by the general public. Also in the form of 37 legislative comments and submissions to the courts. The project promoter produced 5 internal materials, and trained 1,135 professional staff. The National Human Rights Institution is in the process of being legislated in the Czech Republic and the mandate to protect and promote human rights will be given to the Ombudsman. The practical experience gained from the Norwegian National Human Rights Institution is a significant help in achieving effective functioning and exercise of the new competences. Thanks to the project, it can be stated that the first steps are ready to be taken, on the basis of which the further activities of the Office as the Czech National Human Rights Institution can be shaped and developed.
Summary of bilateral results
As part of the cooperation with the partner, the project promoter held two working meetings, one online thanks to the COVID pandemic and the second time at partner''s headquarters. The project promoter gained an overview of work methods, gained know-how and examples of good practice. The project promoter organized a round table where experts discussed the issue of the national human rights institution. Czech Minister for Legislation and representatives of national human rights organizations from Norway, Slovakia, Estonia and Slovenia headed to Brno. Together with academics and NGOs, they also met with representatives of international organizations dealing with the protection of human rights, such as the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights. Thanks to the partnership cooperation, the project promoter drew on Norwegian know-how and examples of good practice in the field of the national human rights institution. The partner participated in the preparation of the article, the aim of which was to provide an informative overview of the international requirements that must be met by national human rights institutions, based on key aspects of the work of the Norwegian National Institution for Human Rights. At the same time, a representative of a partner institution accepted an invitation to a round table, where he contributed his personal experience with the functioning of the national human rights institution.