The project, which has been implemented for 6 years, is financed this year by the European Union through the EIDHR instrument “Strengthening the Role of Civil Society in Promoting Human Rights and Democratic Reforms” in the amount of EUR 38.000,00 (implemented by the Coalition All for Fair Trials, Roma Rights Forum Arka of Kumanovo and the Centre for Civil Initiative of Prilep) and the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture in the amount of $35.000,00.

The UNVFVT grant provides direct free legal assistance for potential victims of torture or police abuse on the territory of the RM, and, apart from the existing partners (Coalition, Arka, Centre for Civil Initiative, Centre for Democratic Development and Izbor), this year free legal assistance is extended by involving external collaborators from the First Children’s Embassy in the World Megjashi, the Roma Rights Association of Shtip and Mesechina of Gostivar.

Besides free legal assistance to potential victims of torture or police abuse by authorised officials, the project will organise educational workshops for police officers and prison services on the topic “The National Prevention Mechanism in the RM and the Respect for the Human Rights of Persons Deprived of Their Liberty” and will pay visits to places where persons are deprived of or limited in their liberty.

In the end, as a result of the free assistance provided, a legal analysis will be prepared with conclusions and recommendations on how to overcome the violations of human rights committed while exercising police powers as well as the violations committed by torture by authorised officials in places where persons are deprived of their liberty.