PRI’s Moscow-based office worked in the region to bring criminal justice systems into compliance with international standards and norms – in particular focusing on the rights of vulnerable groups, such as women and children in the criminal justice system – through a range of activities including advocacy, capacity building, training and research.
Past programmes included:
Strengthening the role of civil society in protecting the human rights of vulnerable groups of offenders in Ukraine
This two-year project (2015–2017) aimed to strengthen the role of Ukrainian civil society in promoting human rights, non-discrimination and equality for persons belonging to minorities and vulnerable groups in conflict with the law. In particular, it sought to improve the legislative and policy framework to ensure equal access to justice; promote human rights awareness among judges, prosecutors, prison officials and other law enforcement agencies; and build the capacity of central and local authorities and civil society organisations to develop and maintain effective support services for offenders and former prisoners.
Developing transparency and accountability of law enforcement bodies in Belarus
This two-year project (2015–2017) aimed to strengthen the role and contribution of civil society in the development of transparency, accountability and the humanisation of law enforcement bodies of Belarus.
In particular, it aimed to increase civil society’s capacity to conduct dialogue with legislative and law enforcement bodies on human rights; support the humanisation of the justice system through capacity building of law enforcement bodies; and build the capacity of civil society groups to undertake a watchdog role, in particular through the observation of police units.
Observance of prisoners’ rights as an integral part of human rights advocacy strategy
This three-year project (July 2014–June 2017), funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, aimed to strengthen the capacity of civil society organisations, particularly Public Oversight Commissions (POCs), to act as watchdogs for the treatment of prisoners and conditions in pre-trial detention.
PRI also aimed to increase the availability of evidence-based information on the situation in places of deprivation of liberty and in the criminal justice system in general, and use this information to work with criminal justice stakeholders to influence policymaking on detention monitoring.