Context
The CT PHARE - Platform for Human Rights Engagement project is a global facility in support of the EU External Action’s Council Conclusions on Preventing and Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism of June 2020 aiming to provide human rights-based counter-terrorism capacity-building activities, including policy and institutional support to beneficiary countries and regions that request it. The project is implemented by the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ) and seeks to increase the degree to which states’ counter-terrorism policies, legislation, and judicial approaches – in addition to day-to-day investigation and prosecution practices – comply with internationally-recognised human rights standards, both on the policy and operational levels.
Overall objective
CT PHARE aims to successfully disrupt terrorist networks and bring terrorist to justice in full respect of human rights, gender equality and the rule of law.
Specific objective
- To increase compliance of states’ counter-terrorism policies, legislation, judicial strategies and case management practices with internationally recognised human rights standards and the participation of women in CT across the criminal justice system both at the strategic and operational level.
Concrete activities
- Delivered training and capacity building activities with selected Arab Interior Minister Council (AIMC) and African Union (AU) Member States on the right to a fair trial and human rights-based decision-making.
- Development and implementation of the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) Good Practice, the Brussels Memorandum on Oversight and Accountability in Counter-Terrorism through a wide consultation process.
- On-demand technical assistance for the revision of Iraq’s Counter-Terrorism Strategy.
- Support to the GCTF, including a report on the implementation of the GCTF good practices on the right to a fair trial for the GCTF Criminal Justice Rule of Law Working Group.
- High-Level Meetings and Events.
- Project duration
- 1 Oct 2022 - 1 Oct 2026
- Project locations
- AlgeriaBeninBruneiBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCentral African RepublicChadCongoCôte d’IvoireDemocratic Republic of the CongoDjiboutiEgyptEthiopiaGabonGhanaGuineaIndonesiaIraqJordanKenyaKuwaitLaosLebanonLiberiaLibyaMalaysiaMaldivesMauritaniaMoroccoMyanmar/BurmaNigeriaOmanPalestinePhilippinesQatarSaudi ArabiaSenegalSierra LeoneSingaporeTanzaniaThailandThe GambiaTimor-LesteTogoTunisiaUgandaUnited Arab EmiratesVietnamYemen
- Overall budget
- €3 000 000
- Threat area
- Counter-Terrorism, Prevention of Violent Extremism
Results
CT PHARE has made substantial contributions to enhancing human rights practices and counter-terrorism frameworks across multiple regions. It is structured around three core components that provide a focused and outcome-driven approach.
- Enhanced knowledge by identifying gaps and vulnerabilities in national human rights responses. This initial phase has proven instrumental in aligning project activities with local and regional needs.
- Policy development and institutional reform. A significant achievement here is the development of policy documents that support systemic change, such as the Brussels Memorandum on oversight and accountability mechanisms.
- Transnational and transregional cooperation. Events like the high-level February 2024 meeting on oversight and accountability in Nairobi, which brought together 111 participants from diverse regions including Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, showcasing the project’s commitment to fostering cross-border collaboration.
Achievements
- Significantly influenced global counter-terrorism policies. The Brussels Memorandum, focuses on oversight and accountability mechanisms in counter-terrorism. This memorandum not only fills a critical gap in global policy but also reflects the project’s ability to drive high-level reforms.
- Contributed to a global survey under the GCTF CJ ROL WG work plan which addressed pre-trial detention and the right to a fair trial, areas often fraught with human rights challenges in counter-terrorism contexts. Through highlighting best practices and vulnerabilities, the survey provided actionable insights for improving judicial processes globally.
- Engaged with a diverse range of stakeholders across 52 countries.
- Fostered buy-in at both local and regional levels by involving regional organisations such as the AU and the AIMC.
- Brought together diverse stakeholders, including civil society organisations, law enforcement, and judicial authorities with workshops, creating platforms for dialogue and shared learning.
- Increased relevance and effectiveness of project activities with responsive, context-specific engagement.