International conference “Improving human rights in Bulgarian, Romanian and Turkish prisons through modern methods of treatment, improvement of living conditions and protection of minorities”

International conference “Improving human rights in Bulgarian, Romanian and Turkish prisons through modern methods of treatment, improvement of living conditions and protection of minorities”
Implementation period:
01.01.2006 – 31.12.2006
Partners:
Crime prevention fund – IGA
Penal reform international – Bucharest
Source of funding:
Phare Small Projects Program of the EU Commission
Main Objecktives:
- Raise awareness of the general public and of selected target groups (prison officials, prison staff, government officials, human rights NGOs, MPs, mass media) on the European integration, the Enlargement process and their impact of accession on the prison systems in Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey
- Contribute to closer European integration (through an exchange of experience and expertise between the 3 prison systems on the implementation of the acquis related to the treatment and human rights of vulnerable prisoners, and through the drafting of recommendations and a plan of action to support the European integration)
- Increase the visibility of the European Union (through conference, press conference, press release, published materials to be distributed)
Results achieved:
- 60 participants from Bulgaria, Romania, Turkey, Great Britain, Netherlands, Croatia, USA and the Delegation of the European Commission;
- Representatives of the Ministries of justice, the systems for execution of penalties, embassies, NGO sector, prison directors, media;
- 18 presentations of lecturers from the three Balkan countries, Great Britain and theNetherlands;
- 9 work groups on the basic themes of the forum;
- Prepared Declaration with suggestions towards the three countries;
- Published edition “Materials from the forum” on four languages (the languages of the three countries and in English);