Description
The observance of the rights of detainees confined in the pre-trial detention centers in accordance with the European standards represents the main concern of the Romanian authorities as reflected in national laws and strategies, this being also in line with the ECHR and CPT reports. The project aims at improving the pre-trial detention system in compliance with relevant human rights instruments, by investing in human capital development and improving the existing infrastructure at the level of the police pre-trial detention centers in accordance with European standards. The training component envisages to increase the knowledge of the relevant staff through training on topics directly related to their daily work with special focus on protection of human rights. Through the endowment component, the material conditions within 52 police pre-trial detention centers will be improved in line with European standards. The target groups are the inmates confined in the said centers, and the relevant police staff. The role of the Council of Europe, as Project Partner, is to provide expertise, share best practice and overall advice on the project implementation.
Summary of project results
Considering the deficiencies identified at the level of police pre-trial detention centers by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in terms of improper material conditions (overcrowding of the centers, detention spaces with insufficient or inexistent natural light and without ventilation, improper hygienic and visiting conditions, etc.) and inadequate training of police staff working in the said centers, as regards their instruction in the international human rights instruments, the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police promoted this project as a means of addressing these shortcomings. The objective of the project was fully achieved, consisting in strengthening the capacity of the pre-trial detention system to comply with the relevant international human rights instruments, by investing in human capital development and by improving the existing infrastructure at the level of the police pre-trial detention centres, in accordance with European standards. The following outputs were delivered after implementing the main activities of the project: - 984 police staff working in the police pre-trial detention centres were trained as follows: 20 heads of police pre-trial detention centres trained as trainers on human rights during 4 seminars; 750 police staff attended 30 seminars on human rights application; 62 heads of police pre-trial detention centres trained on management of police pre-trial detention centres during 2 seminars; 52 police staff attended 2 seminars on Roma language; 100 police staff were presented good practice from other European countries and ECHR jurisprudence during 5 seminars; - 2 best practice guides and 2 leaflets on the protection of human rights and prevention of discrimination in police pre-trial detention centres were drafted, printed in 600 copies (guides) and 2.400 copies (leaflets) and distributed to police staff working in said centres; - 51 pre-trial police detention centres were endowed with the necessary equipment in line with relevant international human rights instruments (e.g. artificial ventilation systems, air-conditioning installations for vehicles carrying people deprived of liberty, video surveillance systems, windows fitted with safety systems, electrical switches with potentiometer, beds and mattresses, secured glass and audio system, sports equipment, etc.).
Summary of bilateral results
The project was implemented by the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police in partnership with the Council of Europe (CoE). CoE’s role in the implementation of the project consisted in providing overall advice on its implementation, in contributing to the planning and organisation of the outputs, in providing the Romanian authorities with relevant European experts in the field, as well as background information on relevant European standards and practices and expert opinions whenever required. More specifically, CoE experts developed a training curriculum and a training plan with a special focus on the area of protection of human rights and anti-discrimination that were used during 36 trainings organised in the project. CoE experts also delivered training of trainers sessions to the police staff in the area of human rights application and on management issues. They have elaborated best practice guides and information materials (leaflets) on the human rights issues and on ways of preventing discrimination against Roma and other vulnerable groups/ minorities, as well as a report comprising proposals for further improving the compliance with human rights standards of the existing material conditions within the police pre-trial detention centres.