We are a specialist organisation which addresses the rights of suspects, offenders and prisoners in the context of the broader criminal justice system.
Constructive and flexible advocacy
We work in very diverse regions and countries with different political and social realities and sensitivities. We are responsive to these different contexts, and adapt how we work accordingly. Our approach is gender and culturally sensitive.
We have over 20 years’ experience working in the field of criminal justice and penal reform at national, regional and international levels. This experience has shown us that engaging in constructive dialogue with authorities allows us to achieve change in often very politically sensitive environments.
Our independence and specialised expertise makes us a valued partner for both governments and civil society organisations. We have a reputation for staying the course in a field where progress can be slow and gradual.
Our working methods
At the national level, our working methods include:
- raising awareness of regional and international human rights standards and norms, including through developing authoritative interpretations of these standards
- disseminating information about the implementation of regional and international human rights standards as well as examples of good practice from elsewhere
- championing the ratification of human rights treaties
- undertaking research
- assessing national criminal justice and penal systems according to their compliance with human rights standards, formulating recommendations for improvement, and developing projects to implement these recommendations
- providing training to build the capacity and skills of professionals such as prison staff, monitoring bodies, judges, social and probation workers
- developing the capacity of partner organisations.
At regional and international levels, our working methods include:
- identifying gaps in existing regional and international human rights standards and raising awareness about them
- contributing to standard-setting initiatives
- developing training materials
- sharing our expertise and experience of working on country and regional projects
- engaging with inter-governmental and regional bodies through our consultative and observer status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Committee on the Rights and Welfare of the Child
- cooperating with civil society actors in networks and coalitions; we are a member of the Interagency Panel on Juvenile Justice (IPJJ), and the World Coalition against the Death Penalty
- organising national, regional and international conferences, seminars and exchange visits, bringing together criminal justice and penal reform activists, specialists and government representatives.