Enhancing Procedural Rights of Persons with Intellectual and/or Psychosocial Disabilities in Criminal Proceedings: Exploring the Need for Actions

Project duration

August 2016 – July 2018

Donor

European Union

Project goals

•  Identifying gaps and shortcomings of each project partner’s national criminal justice system, supporting the implementation of the Recommendation and elaborating recommendations for possible amendments at the national/EU level;

•  Improving the procedural rights and safeguards of persons with intellectual and/or psychosocial disabilities through capacity building of the professional stakeholders involved (in particular law enforcement authorities, legal practitioners, medical personnel, judiciary) by providing mutual learning opportunities, fostering the exchange of good practices and working methods, and facilitating cooperation among partner countries through the establishment of international multi-disciplinary networks;

•  Raising awareness on the complex situations and barriers that persons with intellectual and/or psychosocial disabilities are confronted with during criminal proceedings (from the accusation to the verdict) through disseminating the Project results summarized in a Handbook, and a brochure, organizing a European Workshop, a press conference, an International Final Conference and national implementation workshops.

Expected results

• Identification of protection gaps in each stage of criminal proceedings and proposition of remedial measures

• Increased awareness of the target group of the risks which persons with intellectual and/or psychosocial disabilities are exposed to

• Increased capacity of how these risks can be minimized

• Concrete and practical guidance at hand for the target groups

• Enhanced understanding and mutual trust through joint peer learning and exchange of good practices

• Enhanced protection level of the rights of final beneficiaries

Project partners

The Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights in Austria

The Bulgarian Helsinki Committee in Bulgaria

The League of Human Rights in the Czech Republic

The Peace Institute in Slovenia

Project budget: 447 640 EUR