Programs

  • Program 1 [2020]

    China - By embracing the power of technology, especially in the context of the pandemic, IBJ's China program has continued to educate Chinese defense lawyers with the skills and knowledge to pursue a rights-based approach and advance the country's criminal justice system.As IBJ China continued to make available and update its online training materials, lawyers from around the country were able to improve their legal skills through the program's eLearning website. In 2020, IBJ updated 80 existing eLearning modules on topics ranging from basic advocacy skills to more complex topics such as understanding forensic evidence to specialized defense topics such as defending clients with mental or physical disabilities. These resources were accessed over 15,000 times.To enhance juvenile justice, 2019 saw the launch of IBJ's juvenile rights awareness game platform titles "What if the bear cub is arrested?". The platform was developed in partnership with the Digital Public Square Project at the University of Toronto's Munk Center. The game features three ten-part scenarios in which either a juvenile accused or their parent/guardian must navigate encounters with various actors in China's legal system. The goal of the game is to increase public understanding of the rights of juveniles within the criminal justice system. By the end of December 2019, the game had received 767,249 impressions from Chinese internet users, including over 23,000 unique players and 6,614 complete finishes of at least one of the three scenarios. Most significantly, over 85% of 6,300 respondents to an on-site poll reported increased knowledge and sympathy towards juveniles in China.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $444.4K

  • Program 2 [2020]

    Syria - In the areas of north-western Syria, currently under Turkish administration, IBJ is now widely recognized within the Syrian legal community for its role in providing access to justice across the country. IBJ Syria continues to grow and remain resilient in the face of adversity, solidifying its presence within the country and achieving some key milestones. In 2020, IBJ Syria demonstrated its commitment to reinforcing the rule of law by handling 408 cases and conducting over 400 legal consultations.IBJ Syria strengthened relationships with key justice sector stakeholders and conducted breakthrough roundtables across Syria. In February, justice stakeholders convened to discuss the situation of juveniles being tried before adult courts and the lack of separation between juvenile and adult prisons. Syrian justice stakeholders convened again in April via Zoom to discuss the simplification of legal proceedings in times of disasters. The purpose of this roundtable was to lay out the foundation for rapid procedures during the pandemic and future emergencies or disasters.IBJ lawyers worked with the Minister of Justice and the Syrian Interim Government to form a task force to oversee police stations and prisons to prevent human rights violations during the pandemic. The task was formed swiftly and is comprised of 22 IBJ lawyers, with a representative of the Syrian National Coalition (SNC). Members meet weekly to discuss the rapidly evolving situations in prisons, detention centers, and police stations, and to develop solutions to the issues that face the accused and the detained, particularly in the context of COVID-19.In addition, the Criminal Legal Needs Association (LNA) identified key findings related to both the criminal justice system in Syria as well as defenders' needs. In this regard, IBJ developed a set of recommendations addressing the findings, which primarily focus on continued training and capacity building for lawywers inside Syria. This includes Training of Trainers (TpT), provision of educational material, and advocacy, among other key recommendations.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $334.4K

  • Program 3 [2020]

    Myanmar - Despite Covid-19 uncertainties, the justice centers were kept operational to provide frontline legal aid during the public health crisis. The pandemic promoted digitalization of the justice centers with staff members transitioning to digital tools and technology to ensure justice is always accessible and available. IBJ's lawyers have gained a respected reputation in the criminal justice system as the frontline representation for Myanmar's indigent accused within the communities they serve. In 2020, IBJ Myanmar's four Justice Centers and two satellite offices provided legal assistane to 1,437 of Myanar's most indigent detainees.To strengthen relationships with key stakeholders and promote systemic reform, IBJ Myanmar hosted a national level roundtable with justice sector actors through a virtual zoom conference on "Overcoming Challenges in Criminal Juvenile Justice System in Myanmar. The event was instrumental in promoting systemic change within Myanmar, as over 95 justice stakeholders actively participated in the event.IBJ made significant strides in advancing online training materials for defenders and successfully trained 164 lawyers. By working in collaboration with the Danish Institute for Human Rights, IBJ provided a series of paralegal training for law students in universities. Moreover, IBJ conducted a 4-day (12 hour) semi-virtual training-of-trainers for IBJ staff members focusing on "facilitation skills and three 3-day national legal advocacy skills training workshops for up to 35 participants, including staff and cooperating lawyers. In furthering IBJ's mission in providing access to justice for all, IBJ Myanmar has used social media platforms as an important tool for informing and assisting citizens in accessing justice through the justice centers' services. IBJ developed a digital media guideline to be applied by staff members in making outreach programs on the social media platform. Since the launching of their social media pages, IBJ has gained an average of 1,500 followers with a 5,000 organic page reach on each justice center page. Through this initiative, IBJ has seen a huge spike in the number of inquiries via social media.
    Geographies
    Not indicated
    Dates
    Jan 1, 2020 – Dec 31, 2020
    Source
    990
    No causes provided
    No populations provided
    –
    $613.2K