Deadline: 03-Jul-2024
The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project that will improve access to justice for detainees in Tunisia, including by enhancing detainees’ legal rights.
Project Goal(s) and Objectives
- Taking into account the political, judicial, and security situation in Tunisia, the overall goal of this project aims to protect and improve the basic rights of individuals (including marginalized groups) in custody, complying with the relevant Tunisian legal framework. Complying with the legal framework of the pre-charge and pretrial detentions, including, but not limited to Law 5 provisions, will empower the legal rights of Tunisian citizens, particularly from vulnerable groups who are more likely exposed to violations. In the absence of political will to further reform the Penal Code (PC) and CPC, the project should focus on improving and institutionalizing criminal chain practices, while building capacity and raising awareness among magistrates, judicial police, lawyers, professors, law students, CSOs, etc. to support reform efforts. Interaction and exchanges between the key stakeholders should be considered as well.
- INL is looking to partner with applicants who have a proven track record in supporting Tunisia’s efforts to promote people-centered criminal justice reforms based on human rights and the rule of law. Applicants should have experience implementing projects covering various aspects of the Tunisian criminal justice and security system, including, inter alia, custody monitoring, trial observation, PC and CPC reform efforts, carceral system, legal aid including for political opponents, vulnerable populations such as indigent people, irregular migrants, individuals with disabilities, LGBTIQ+ individuals, and drug addicts. Applicants should also have experience working effectively with Tunisian CSOs and incorporate CSOs involvement in the project.
- The proposal should focus on five interconnected Specific Objectives:
- The Tunisian public (including vulnerable groups) is empowered through increased legal and civic engagements to understand and defend their rights while in custody.
- Tunisian public have digitized access to defense lawyers and greater availability of pro-bono legal services during the custody phase. (Additional solutions such as a toll-free number could be considered).
- Key judicial and law enforcement stakeholders in Tunisia are trained and engaged in promoting the legal framework on the custody phase.
- Civil society in Tunisia is trained and skilled in conducting advocacy and supporting government reform efforts on detention.
- Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) working on criminal justice reform in Tunisia are organized into a viable and active coalition through a network that amplifies their voices, share resources, and exert influence on policy making to support reform efforts.
Funding Information
- Total available funding: $2,000,000 USD
- Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $1,500,000 to a maximum of $2,000,000.
- Length of performance period: 24 months.
- Anticipated program start date: October 1, 2024
- Number of awards anticipated: 1 award (dependent on amounts)
Project Activities and Deliverables
- Strengthening the legal and civic empowerment of the Tunisian public on custody rights and alternative to detention, especially vulnerable groups, through targeted initiatives such as:
- Conducting legal awareness campaigns in communities.
- Providing educational resources on rights and legal procedures.
- Organizing workshops and training sessions on civic engagement and advocacy.
- Digitizing access to legal assistance, particularly during the custody phase, with a focus on pro bono services. This involves, inter alia:
- Developing a user-friendly digital platform for remote legal consultations.
- Implementing additional innovative solutions to enhance accessibility.
- Ensuring the platform caters to the specific needs of those in custody.
- Improving the capacity and awareness of key stakeholders including:
- Conducting training programs for law enforcement, judiciary, and legal professionals.
- Organizing public awareness campaigns on the importance of legal rights and procedures related to pre-chare and pretrial detentions.
- Raising awareness of stakeholders about the needs of vulnerable populations in custody within the legal system.
- Raising awareness of stakeholders to enforce existing criminal procedures proposing alternatives to detention, such as, and not limited to, bail provisions.
- Equipping civil society with technical capacity and advocacy skills through, inter alia:
- Providing technical training on legal processes and advocacy strategies.
- Offering resources for grassroots organizations to enhance their capabilities.
- Facilitating networking opportunities to share best practices in advocacy.
- Building and animating a coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) focused on criminal justice reform, involving:
- Establishing a collaborative platform for CSOs to share resources and expertise.
- Hosting regular forums or conferences to discuss criminal justice reform.
- Encouraging joint advocacy efforts to address systemic issues in the legal system.
Participants and Audiences
- Legal and Civic Empowerment Initiatives:
- Target Audiences: General public, including vulnerable groups such as women, LGBTQI+ individuals, indigent people, soft drug users/drug addicts, racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and religious minorities.
- Inclusivity Measures: Ensure materials and outreach methods are culturally sensitive, translated if necessary, include visuals and symbols to reach illiterate audiences, and involve community leaders to facilitate understanding and participation.
- Digitizing Access to Legal Assistance:
- Target Audiences: Defense lawyers, front-line police officers, individuals in custody and detention, marginalized communities, and those with limited access to traditional legal services.
- Inclusivity Measures: Design the digital platform with accessibility features, conduct outreach in diverse communities, and actively seek feedback from users to address any barriers.
- Stakeholder Capacity Building:
- Target Audiences: Law enforcement, judiciary, legal professionals, CSOs, and community leaders.
- Inclusivity Measures: Offer tailored training to address specific needs of different groups, including sensitivity training on issues related and not limited to gender, LGBTQI+ rights, and disability.
- Equipping Civil Society:
- Target Audiences: Local CSOs, grassroots activists, and advocates.
- Inclusivity Measures: Facilitate workshops in multiple languages, address diverse perspectives, and actively involve underrepresented groups in the planning and execution of activities.
- Coalition Building:
- Target Audiences: CSOs working on criminal justice reform.
- Inclusivity Measures: Encourage representation from organizations focused on gender equality, LGBTQI+ rights, racial, religious, and ethnic diversity, disability rights, and other underrepresented groups. Foster an inclusive environment for open dialogue and collaboration.
Priority Region/Countries
- Tunisia/Governorates of Gafsa, Jendouba, Kairouan, Manouba (or Ben-Arous), Medenine, Nabeul, and Sousse.
Eligibility Criteria
- The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
- U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code or section 26 US 115 of the US 115 of the U.S. tax code;
- Foreign-based non-profits/non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
- Foreign-based educational institutions
For more information, visit Grants.gov.