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Spotlight:
Bringing children home: a children's rights approach to returning from ISIL
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An estimated 4,640 children travelled to Iraq or Syria, either alone or with their families, to join the so-called Islamic State. Since the fall of the terrorist group, many of them live in displacement camps under deplorable conditions. They have not only been victims of recruitment or trafficking, but also witnessed extreme violence and indoctrination.
In this briefing Penal Reform International and partner organisations outline:
- the broad range of international human rights and humanitarian law applicable to the treatment and return of children who have lived under ISIL control or have been born in the displacement camps
- the various national responses and challenges for the return of children and people who have been recruited by ISIL as children, who lived in ISIL controlled territory or are living in displacement camps
- recommendations that PRI and partners urge States to urgently take to protect children affected.
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On the day we published the briefing, an urgent debate was held at the Council of Europe on International obligations concerning the repatriation of children from war and conflict zones. PRI brought attention to the briefing alongside key recommendations to the Council of Europe, who pointed to our urgent appeal in the verbatim of the debate. You can see the resolution and news here. |
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Last month, we said goodbye to our Regional Director in Central Asia, Azamat Shambilov. We thank him for the 8 years he dedicated to PRI, and wish him all the best for the future.
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Working with police, magistrates and lawyers to promote fairer criminal investigations and trials in Uganda
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PRI is taking important and effective steps towards preventing ill-treatment and promoting the application of fair and effective criminal investigations and trials of people detained in Uganda. PRI has introduced police officers to investigative interviewing – using the ‘PEACE model’ – a practice promoted by the UN Special Rapporteur on torture and adopted in a number of countries to replace confessional-based interrogation methods, which can lead to coercion and torture. PRI also invited magistrates from across the country for a training course on best practices in the implementation of the Prevention and Prohibition of Torture Act (PPTA) for the effective adjudication of torture cases.
Read our news article to find out more about key achievements in Uganda, including our Practice guide for defense counsel representing individuals facing the death penalty. |
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Latest news from South Caucasus
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PRI in South Caucasus has been working to increase the involvement of Georgian Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in promoting reforms in the penal and probation sector in Georgia, under an ongoing EU-funded initiative. PRI is helping revive a civil society coalition, engaging them in human rights policy dialogue and thematic discussions with the authorities, and providing them with the support to monitor the commitments outlined in key policy/strategy government documents.
From 2018 till now, eight small grants were issued to local NGOs to enable them to conduct thematic monitoring. The topics included: analyses of minority rights (detainees with disabilities, LGBTI detainees, religious groups, women, children and young people, and foreign nationals) in the penal system; rights of high-risk detainees and those serving a life sentence; and working conditions and rights of prison staff. Under the sub-grant contracts, local NGOs also conducted an analysis of detainees’ rights during conditional and non-custodial sentences and monitored the government’s actions during the last four years period of probation system reforms.
Several studies have already been published on PRI's website, on disciplinary proceedings in prison, complaints procedures in prison, prison staff, prison conditions, the 2014-2018 probation reform, budget analyses in the penal sector, educational and rehabilitation processes in prison, healthcare, contact with the outside world, and risk assessment systems in prison (further studies will be published on prison staff satisfaction, minority rights in Georgian prisons and prison infrastructure).
PRI, partners, and sub-grantee organisations were able to assess the current status on these issues, including shortcomings, progress made, and made recommendations for improvement in line with international and European standards and best practice. |
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Publication of a new guide for prison staff: Women in prison: mental health and well-being
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In partnership with the Prison Reform Trust, PRI published a guide for prison staff to support and address mental health & well-being needs of people in prison, with a focus on women. It helps staff understand how prison life can affect a person’s mental health and aims to break down the stigma and discrimination attached to poor mental health, especially for women in prison. It also contains a checklist based on international human rights standards aimed to help with the implementation of key aspects of prison reform and advocacy initiatives in line with international standards and norms.
Funded by Better Community Business Network and the Eleanor Rathbone Charitable Trust. |
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PRI convenes side-event at 63rd Commission on Narcotic Drugs session on implementing the UN Bangkok Rules: women and drug policies
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2020 marks ten years since the UN Bangkok Rules on women prisoners and non-custodial measures for women were adopted by the UN General Assembly. Yet, drug policies continue to disproportionately impact women and female prison populations continue to rise in many countries. On 3 March 2020, PRI and fellow experts will discuss key questions on women and drug policies and share new research and good practice for the 63rd Commission on Narcotic Drugs in Vienna. |
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PRI is soon to launch some major publications. Stay alert for our new report on Sentencing of women convicted of drug‑related offences in collaboration with Linklaters LLP and the International Drug Policy Consortium on 3 March 2020, and the 2020 edition of Global Prison Trends published in partnership with the Thailand Institute of Justice on 21 April 2020.
Our publications form the basis of our advocacy work, and we produce high-quality, evidence-based materials that contribute to positive policy reforms. In order to continue this work and achieve impact, we need your support. Please consider making a donation to us: |
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