CRD Prog.Support to Human Rights Defenders

CRD in cooperation with partners have achieved very important results in the framework of this contribution through influences changes in legal framework practises for human rights, empowering vulnerable people and strengthening the role of human rights defenders. Below are presented some examples of results achieved: - About 67,5% of the 282 cases assisted by CRD legal aid partners were resolved in favour of the clients. The CRD partners assisted in a total of 280 court cases, with the CLCI handling 167, the AHC 8, the TLAS 104, and the ADRF 1. 73% of the total cases of people assisted were women (2016–2018). - Two important strategic litigations cases were won in Strasbourg by Albanian Helsinki Committee ‘’A.S v. Albania case’’ (21.1.2020 ) and ‘’Prizreni v. Albania’’ (11.6.2019). Both cases were initiated in 2016 and were finalized successfully. The cases highlight the need for reform of the prison and detention system and at the same time hold the Albanian authorities accountable for the full respect of the rights of persons deprived of liberty in accordance with international human rights standards, particularly when they are facing health issues. - In 2020, YREM addressed the lack of drinking water supply to the Dyli Haxhire neighbourhood of Elbasan, in which many Roma and Egyptians reside, through advocacy and legal action. The lawsuit has been filed in the Elbasan Judicial District Court and is under review. - More than 2000 vulnerable people in total were reached by CRD partners via meetings and information and community sessions during 2026-2018. The COVID-19-related restrictions have strongly impacted Roma children and students, since a majority of them could not access online education due to low access to technology and the internet, creating further problems in their ability to progress in the educational system. TREJA organized 6 meetings in Tirana and Korca with activists and representatives of the Education Directorate to provide information about secondary school registration procedures. About 50 individuals increased their knowledge on these procedures, thus becoming empowered to enjoy their legal right to education. - CRD and its partners have demanded accountability and the fulfilment of human rights from the Albanian state in compliance with its commitments. About 60 cases of complaints of Discrimination were brought in front of the Commissioner for Protection from Discrimination. Monitoring of institutions has been a strong pillar of the work of CRD partners with around 40 local and central institutions monitored. More than 300 recommendations have been brought in front of state bodies and countless individual or group advocacy meetings have been organised (2016-2018). - As a results of advocacy efforts of CRD Roma partner organisations, the Ministry of Education approved in June 2020 the decision of providing free textbooks for Roma and Egyptian high school students. This is expected to contribute to increased enrolment, and especially for girls who are exposed to early marriages. More than 80 recommendations were made by CRD partners and roughly 20% of them were considered by authorities(2016-2018). - CRD has empowered local human rights defenders by improving their institutional and professional capacities and by inspiring and encouraging the engagement of new staff and new human rights defenders.

The overall objective of this intervention is to improve people's access to freedom and justice through increased respect for their civil and political rights.The intervention has three main outcomes: - People are empowered to claim their human rights- States take better responsibility for the fulfilment of human rights- Local human rights defenders are empowered