The Joint Programme “Capacity Building of the Law Enforcement Agencies for Appropriate Treatment of Detained and Sentenced Persons”, funded by the European Union, was implemented by the Council of Europe in close partnership with the final beneficiaries, namely the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The programme was implemented in the period 01December 2012 – 30 November 2015, with a total budget amounting to EUR 2,100,000, where the allocation by the European Union was EUR 1,800,000, the Council of Europe contributed with EUR 100,000 and the national contribution by the Government was EUR 200,000.

The programme focused on two major components, notably on the police service and the penitentiary system in the country.

With respect to the police service, the programme aim was to develop the capacities and strengthen the professionalism in guaranteeing full observance of fundamental rights of the persons held in police custody, through an efficient and reliable regulatory and operational framework.

With respect to the prison system, the programme aimed at strengthening the organizational and management capacity of the penitentiary with a view to ensuring full protection of human rights in the treatment of detained and sentenced persons.

Council of Europe consultants provided expertise on a regular basis, as coordinating consultants, or on an ad hoc,short-term basis for individual activities requesting specific expertise. During the programme lifespan, more than 50 consultants and experts, both international and national, have been involved and contributed towards the achievement of the results.