Retour Participation of Civil Society Organisations in Human Rights Protection

Participation of Civil Society Organisations in Human Rights Protection

Council of Europe Project “Human rights-compliant policing in Georgia” project is looking to pre-select up to 20 NGOs representing up to 10 targeted regions of Georgia: Kvemo Kartli, Shida Kartli, Mtskheta-Mtianeti, Kakheti, Samtskhe-Javakheti, Imereti, Racha, Guria, Samegrelo-Zemo Svaneti and Adjara. For this purpose, interested CSOs are asked to submit application, as described below. 

the pre-selected NGOs, namely up to 40 persons in total, are expected to participate in a 4-day work

As a result from the selection process, up to two representatives from each of the pre-selected NGOs, namely up to 40 persons in total, are expected to participate in a 4-day workshop, at which they will be trained on the relevant topics (see Annex 1 for more information).

The informative workshop will be organised and implemented directly by the CoE project, in line with the following tentative schedule:

  • Workshop 1 (group 1, for up to 20 participants) – 8-11 November 2022 in Adjara
  • Workshop 2 (group 2, for up to 20 participants) – 15-18 November 2022 in Kakheti

On the basis of the received detailed proposal, following the workshop, up to two CSOs will be selected to implement awareness raising actions in up to 10 regions of Georgia (step 2). The two selected CSOs will sign grant agreements with the Council of Europe, up to 9.000 EUR each (direct award procedure).

Interested CSOs are invited to submit applications for STEP 1 only (see Annex 1) by 15 October 2022, not later than 17.00 hours Tbilisi time to the following email: [email protected] with the subject line “expression of interest for the informational campaign – HRCPG”

Their application shall include:

  • a cover letter describing CSOs motivation and commitment to participate in the workshop in 2022, including commitment and readiness to submit application under the subsequent competitive selection procedure, following the workshop; (1-page word document, in English language) and
  • Short description of CSOs activities related to human rights, democracy, rules of law or similar field of work; (2-page word document, in English language)
  • Registration document of the organisation

The Council of Europe will evaluate the CSOs’ applications on the basis of the following objective criteria:

  • Commitment to European and international human rights standards;
  • Experience working on human rights including topics and issues related to public gatherings, peaceful assemblies and demonstrations in Georgia;
  • Willingness to create a dialogue with the police;
  • Willingness to carry out a public campaign in the regions of Georgia.
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The Human Rights Compliant Policing in Georgia (HRCPG) project is designed in close cooperation with the Georgian authorities and will support them in enhancing monitoring and discharging policing responsibilities in an effective and accountable manner through greater compliance with human rights standards.

It will support the development of policies and regulatory measures by the medium and high-level decision-makers at the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) that will address the shortcomings identified by the European Court of Human Rights, the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture (CPT) and the Public Defender’s Office of Georgia (PDO) in policing. It will enhance the professional and operational capacities of police services and their officers as well as national independent monitoring and investigation mechanisms (PDO and the Service of the State Inspector - SSI) and relevant staff members to prevent police misconduct while performing their duties and to carry out effective investigations into allegations or other indications of ill-treatment, disproportionate use of force and other human rights violations, in line with Council of Europe standards and best practices.

Capacity building initiatives for police services and national independent monitoring and investigation mechanisms will also focus on policing of democratic freedoms (e.g. public gatherings), principles of ethics, issues related to juveniles and other vulnerable groups, as well as a gender-sensitive approach to policing.

In addition, the Project will also support the MIA in improving the rights of detained persons and their treatment in police custody and temporary detention isolators (TDIs). Capacity building activities for TDI staff, both medical and non-medical staff, will aim to ensure the protection of fundamental human rights, including access to adequate services, in detention facilities.

Working with national civil society organisations (CSO) is part of the Project’s design given the importance of effective involvement of CSOs in the external monitoring of police conduct is essential to ensure accountability and transparency of policing as well as public trust.

The Project builds of the Council of Europe’s successful history of co-operation with the MIA, particularly with the Department of Temporary Detention (TDI), the Department of the Human Rights Protection and Qualitative Investigation and the MIA Academy. The project represents a continuation of the previous 24-month project Juvenile and Adults Detainees Support (JADES) carried out in 2019-2021.

This Project will be implemented within 24 months, until 30 June 2023, with an overall budget of 600,000 Euros financed through the Action Plan of the Council of Europe in Georgia.