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Description
The project aims raising awareness among citizens on human rights issues and strengthening the civil society’s capacity to identify and fight against violations of and institutional practices against human rights, as well as to address gaps in law and its enforcement through creation of instruments and access to expertise.
After 20 years of experience and adhesion to numerous international treaties on human rights, then part of the internal legislation, Romania still hasn’t internalized the adopted norms and has severe shortcomings in their implementations. There is a lack of general awareness, as well as lack of accessibility to an independent expertise which, when difficult issues arise (in connection to the rights of vulnerable groups, access to justice, state of law) would bring to the public a valid legal opinion.
The project aims to develop an online platform on the website and social media of Centre for Legal Resources through which reactions and opinions are constantly posted as a result of watchdog activities and monitoring of human rights issues on the public agenda. Training activities for professionals will be organized to develop and improve the necessary skills to implement key concepts on active citizenship and human rights in public institutions, media, schools, and various fields of activity. Following the advocacy campaign which will include debates and strategic litigation as a component, the project will propose changes in legislation, public policy, or practice.
In the long term the project is important because it develops and sustains independent expertise on human rights and rule of law issues in society. and makes this expertise accessible to all those involved in the project, but also to a wider public, who can use the information particularly in their own fields of activity. It also strengthens and increases the visibility of a critical and informed point of view, which does not exist or is often ignored by the mainstream.