IBJ is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of a substantial grant from the European Union. The European Union is financing the Cambodia, Burundi and Zimbabwe Criminal Defender Programs for a three-year period starting from December 2008. With that crucial support, IBJ will significantly contribute to the eradication of the practice of torture and other cruel and inhumane treatment against accused persons through the effective access to competent and timely legal representation for these countries’ most vulnerable groups. With the support of the European Union, IBJ will foster an enduring respect for human rights culture in crisis-torn Zimbabwe and post-genocide Cambodia and Burundi where early signs of progress and recovery are challenged by the weak rule of law prevailing on a daily basis.

Under its criminal defenders programs funded by the European Union, IBJ seeks to build the in-country leadership of the national criminal justice movements, strengthen the capacity of criminal defenders, judges, police and prison officials. Furthermore, sparking dialogue and collaboration among them has potential to effectively implement the criminal legislation, improve ordinary people’s awareness of their legal rights and provide effective direct case support to the most vulnerable.

“The European Union is made up of 25 Member States who have decided to gradually link together their know-how, resources and destinies. Together, during a period of enlargement of 50 years, they have built a zone of stability, democracy and sustainable development whilst maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedoms. The European Union is committed to sharing its achievements and its values with countries and peoples beyond its borders.”

The European Commission is the EU’s executive body.