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The right to freedom of expression and information constitutes one of the essential foundations of democratic society. In conflict situations and wars, the role of the media is critical in providing the public with accurate and timely information. Trustworthy news and images can contribute to the protection of civilians and conflict prevention, bring to the attention of the international community the horrors and reality of conflict and expose violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.

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Back Call for the provision of consultancy services to support and advise the Prosecutor General Office of Ukraine

Call for the provision of consultancy services, aimed at support and advice to the Prosecutor General Office of Ukraine in implementing communication strategy in times of war, raising public support and awareness towards war crimes, and establishing an international tribunal.
Strasbourg 27 March 2023
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Call for the provision of consultancy services to support and advise the Prosecutor General Office of Ukraine

The tender is launched on behalf of the Council of Europe project “Safeguarding Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Media in Ukraine” within the Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” (2023-2026).

One of the priority measures in the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine 2023-2026 aims to provide further support to promote efficient information and communication strategy capacities at the Prosecutor General Office of Ukraine (“the PGO”) based on the achievements of the previous Action Plan. More specifically, continuing the support provided to the PGO in September-December 2022 in ensuring proper implementation of the Office’s communication strategy targeted at domestic and international audiences. This work, among others, will include the following:

  • technical assistance and expert support to the PGO in holding focus groups discussions and carrying out public opinion research covering the topics on the need to establish the Special International Tribunal for the crime of aggression, genocide and war crimes (both domestically and internationally) and on the assessment of the PGO’s activities regarding the investigation and prosecution of war crimes and public trust in it;
  • training on public speaking for PGO officials and provision of advice in regular messages of PGO speakers;
  • expert advice on and other support to the PGO’s communication activities targeted at the audiences based in the European Union and the United Kingdom, as well support in publishing relevant materials in international media and communication with European opinion leaders, as well as monitoring of media coverage of the PGO’s activities.

In that context, the Council of Europe, through its Action Plan for Ukraine and in the current Project, is seeking to engage a Provider to provide consultancy services to the PGO in the implementation of the communication strategy in times of war. 

 Expected timeline for the provision of services: 2 May 2023 – 31 December 2023
 The deadline for submission of tenders via email is 10 April 2023. (please include the reference: “Tender _ Consultancy _ Advice to GPO_UA”)


All questions regarding the tender must be submitted at least 3 (three) days before the deadline for submission of proposals and must be sent by email with the following subject: (please include the reference: “Tender _ Consultancy _ Advice to GPO _ UA_ Question”).
 
 For detailed information, bidders are invited to consult the tender documents: 

The Information Society Department of the Council of Europe has unveiled its report on the state of freedom of expression in Council of Europe member States in 2021.

This annual review, based on the findings of Council of Europe bodies and monitoring mechanisms, is focussed on legal guarantees for freedom of expression, safeguards for the safety of journalists and others who speak up, independent and pluralistic media environment and reliability and trust of information.

Freedom of expression

“Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right shall include freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. This Article shall not prevent States from requiring the licensing of broadcasting, television or cinema enterprises.

The exercise of these freedoms, since it carries with it duties and responsibilities, may be subject to such formalities, conditions, restrictions or penalties as are prescribed by law and are necessary in a democratic society, in the interests of national security, territorial integrity or public safety, for the prevention of disorder or crime, for the protection of health or morals, for the protection of the reputation or rights of others, for preventing the disclosure of information received in confidence, or for maintaining the authority and impartiality of the judiciary.”

Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights

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"Everyone has the right to freedom of expression"

Art. 10 European Convention on Human Rights

 

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