2017 JusticeMakers Fellows
26 June 2017 – On the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, IBJ was thrilled to to announce the selection of 10 Fellows of the 2017 JusticeMakers Competition for Prevention of Torture in Francophonie Africa. The 2017 JusticeMakers Competition was financed by Global Affairs Canada and promoted with the support of the CIB (Conférence Internationale des Barreaux) and Equitas – International Centre for Human Rights Education.
The 10 winning applications for the 2017 JusticeMakers Competition come from 7 countries: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Mauritania and Togo.
Mr. Papa Amadou Ba (Mauritania), President of the Mauritanian Human Rights League, holds advanced degrees in Law from the University of Nouakchott and the University of Mauritania. His JusticeMakers project tackles critical issues in Mauritania by addressing the lack of human rights training for police and the public. The project will feature training sessions for civil society, a Day of Reflection with the Ministry of Justice, a comprehensive study on civil and political rights, and the creation of a national rights handbook, all aimed at enhancing awareness and strengthening civil and political rights across the country. Read More
Ibrahima Sory Diallo (Guinea Conakry) is using his JusticeMakers project to address the critical issues of torture and illegal detention in Guinea. With his deep personal experience of police abuse and arbitrary detention, Ibrahima is spearheading a series of national and regional conferences aimed at enhancing human rights protections. His initiative will involve roundtables with key stakeholders, including government bodies and human rights organizations, to raise awareness and foster better practices among police and judicial officials. The goal is to tackle systemic issues in the justice system and improve conditions for detainees across the country. Read More
Thérèse Donu (Togo)’s JusticeMaker project is set to ensure equality before the law for all citizens by educating the public about their rights and training justice professionals and civil society representatives. The project has three key components: First, it will raise awareness about equality and combat discrimination against LGBT individuals and sex workers through impactful radio campaigns and engaging training workshops. Second, it aims to enhance access to justice by providing legal representation to victims and deploying volunteers to identify torture cases early in legal proceedings. Finally, Thérèse is committed to ensuring that future prisons uphold basic hygiene standards for female inmates. Read More
Noéllie Iyewa Gaglo (Togo)’s JusticeMakers project aims to transform legal support for women in Lomé Civil Prison by mobilizing human rights-focused lawyers to provide free legal representation. Through this initiative, Noéllie plans to offer pro bono legal assistance to female prisoners, create a paralegal network within the prison, and conduct legal education sessions. The project will empower inmates with knowledge of their rights, train them as paralegals, and provide critical legal aid, leading to the release of some detainees and resolution of several cases. Noéllie’s efforts are set to enhance the overall legal support system for women prisoners and ensure lasting improvements in their conditions. Read More
Francis Kone (Ivory Coast)’s JusticeMakers project tackles the issue of excessive pre-trial detention and prison overcrowding in Abidjan’s correctional centers. By organizing seminars for criminal justice professionals and civil society actors, and conducting regular prison visits, Francis aims to enhance legal support and accelerate case processing. His initiative also involves monitoring prison records and providing legal aid with the help of volunteer lawyers. Through these efforts, Francis will educate detainees about their rights and work to address abusive detention cases, leading to a reduction in overcrowding and improved conditions in the targeted prisons. Read More
Dieudonné Munguwampaga (DRC)’s JusticeMakers project focuses on providing legal aid to women and children who have suffered torture and ill-treatment in South Kivu’s unofficial detention centers. By organizing monitoring visits with a team of volunteer lawyers and collaborating with the Kabare prosecutor’s office, Dieudonné will identify and assisted detainees living in inhumane conditions. His initiative also addresses the dire sanitary conditions in prisons by providing medical treatment to malnourished inmates. Additionally, Dieudonné’s project includes raising awareness about anti-torture laws through workshops and media broadcasts, reaching thousands and promoting better treatment and legal protections for detainees. Read More
Gisèle Ngungua Sangua (DRC) seeks to empower justice actors to take full responsibility to act for the overall improvement of justice and to streamline the handling of legal cases without unreasonable delays. As such, Gisele will provide legal assistance to 200 detainees in Kassapa prison in Lubumbashi, one of the most overcrowded prison of the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as providing training to local defense lawyers so that they may provide legal representation and monitor conditions of detainees. Ultimately, the long-term objective is to “unblock” the prison facilities to ensure the proper functioning of justice. Read More
Khadi Ouedraogo Sy (Burkina Faso)’s “Women and African Prisons” JusticeMakers project addresses the dire conditions faced by incarcerated women in Burkina Faso. Aiming to modernize prisons, Khadi plans to improve sanitary facilities, establish a nursery and daycare for inmates’ children, and enhance access to food and healthcare. By building strong partnerships with medical clinics and legal institutions, Khadi’s initiative seeks to ensure that detained women receive the legal aid and basic necessities they desperately need, ultimately striving for more humane prison conditions. Read More
Charlotte Tchakounte (Cameroon)’s “To Rebuild the Walls of Justice” project aims to combat human rights violations rooted in corruption in Cameroon. By providing legal aid to pre-trial detainees and raising awareness about legal rights among inmates, prison guards, and high school students, Charlotte seeks to transform mindsets and promote stability within the legal system. Her initiative includes best practice exchange workshops with jurists and judiciary officials, media campaigns, and prison visits. With the cooperation of a supportive magistrate, Charlotte is committed to addressing human rights issues and fostering social peace. Read More
Wminpiou Gontran Walè Somé (Burkina Faso)’s “Joining by Justice” JusticeMakers project aims to improve the efficiency of penitentiary policies and living conditions in Burkina Faso’s prisons by strengthening relationships between justice system stakeholders and inmates. Focusing on the Diébougou correction center, Gontran’s team plans to implement a computerized filing system to better manage court dates and release schedules, aiming to alleviate overcrowding. They will conduct a soap-making workshop for inmates nearing release to provide them with skills for reintegration. To combat illiteracy, pre-filled legal forms will be introduced, simplifying the process for bail and medical requests. Gontran also intends to launch a rights awareness campaign, distributing informational flyers and organizing a conference to educate inmates and prison officials about their legal rights and responsibilities. Read More
