Promoting for a better protection mechanism against arbitrary arrest, lengthy pre-trial detention and long delays in trial. The overall objective of this project is to create civil and communal awareness to reduce arbitrary arrest, to increase the respect of the rights of detainees during pre-trial proceedings and to ensure an expeditious trial that is conducted with full respect of the rights of the accused.
The research is a transversal element of this project and will form the basis of the advocacy and the awareness raising components. Its objectives are to detect the root causes of arbitrary arrest, lengthy pre-trial detention and long delays in trial, recommend a protection mechanism and a proposition of law reform with regards to arbitrary detention.
L’Association Libanaise pour l’Education et la Formation-ALEF (Lebanese Association for Education and Training) is a human rights, non-governmental organization based in Lebanon.
ALEF seeks to strengthen the respect and practice of human rights along all levels of the social, political, and economic structures and seeks to re-instate the fundamental value of every human being as a priority for policy-makers and policy agendas.
ALEF believes in the absolute value of Human Beings and in the moral and legal imperative to uphold this value.
Embracing a comprehensive approach to monitor, defend, and educate on human rights, ALEF aims to complement and gear all efforts towards the achievement of an influential Human Rights constituency.
Overview of the project:
ALEF will be implementing the project “Promoting for a better protection mechanism against arbitrary arrest, lengthy pre-trial detention and long delays in trial”, for a period 3 years starting in 2011. This project is funded by the European Union and is in partnership with PRI (Penal Reform International).
The specific objectives of the project are to:
1.Strengthen the knowledge of journalists, law students/fresh graduated lawyers and CSOs on ways to reduce arbitrary arrest, lengthy pre-trial detention and long delays in trial. (community mobilization)
2.Contribute to a more effective monitoring of arbitrary arrest, lengthy pre-trial detention and long delays in trial and its reporting by creating a monitoring and alert network and increasing cooperation between the different stakeholders. (monitoring)
3.Promote the respect of the rights of detainees by launching a public debate on the whereabouts of detention and on ways to remedy to arbitrary arrest, lengthy pre-trial detention and long delays in trial. (Research and advocacy).
Position summary:
The researcher will be in charge of drafting a report consisting of 2 components: a situational assessment and a recommended protection mechanism including a proposition of a law reform tackling arbitrary arrest, lengthy pre-trial detention and long delays in trial. The researcher will work in close collaboration with the project’s Monitoring and Reporting unit, taking into account its input. The consultant will finalize the research with recommendations that will form the basis of the advocacy and awareness raising components.
Duties and responsibilities
- Develop a methodology of the research for the situational assessment to identify legal and practical causes of arbitrary arrest, lengthy pre-trial detention and long delays in trial.
- Develop a proposition of law reform as well as a protection mechanism with regards to arbitrary arrest lengthy pre-trial detention and long delays in trial.
- Work closely with the Monitoring and Reporting unit as to fine-tune the report with their field findings.
- The researcher will be ALEF’s focal person for gathering information from the different stakeholders involved and/or targeted in this project
- Develop the report’s outline and draft it within deadlines.
Objective:
Detect the root causes of arbitrary arrest, lengthy pre-trial detention and long delays in trial; recommend a protection mechanism and a proposition of law reform with regards to arbitrary detention.
Methodology:
- The layout of the research should be agreed upon with ALEF’s Monitoring and Advocacy staff members
- The research should be done on both levels: desk and field research
The following points will be tackled through qualitative and quantitative data:
- Compilation and analysis of Lebanese laws that address the issue of arbitrary detention
- Existing legal gaps with Lebanon’s international obligations
- Identify the victims, the whereabouts, the conditions and the objectives of arbitrary detention
- Analysis of the outcome of focus group research methodology
- Analysis of field findings of the monitoring and reporting unit
- the report should include recommendations for a protection mechanism and a proposition of a law reform that will constitute the basis of the advocacy and awareness raising strategies.
Outputs
- A situational assessment on the root causes of arbitrary arrest, lengthy pre-trial detention and long delays in trial
- A protection mechanism in line with Lebanon’s institutions including a proposition of law reform to reduce arbitrary arrest, increase the respect of the rights of detainees during pre-trial proceedings and ensure an expeditious trial that is conducted with full respect of the rights of the accused
Deliverable
- A report on arbitrary detention in Lebanon
Profile of the Researcher
- Academic background in Law, social/political science or related field highly preferred;
- Good knowledge of Lebanese institutions, local laws and regulations.
- Proven experience of undertaking field and desk-research on human rights and/or related issues;
- Proficiency in Arabic and English with excellent writing skills in English; French is a plus
- Proficiency in MS Office skills
- Able to work under pressure and meet deadlines
- Ability to exercise good political judgment, thorough analysis and diplomacy;
- Adherence to Human Rights values and ethics;
- Motivated
- Understanding of equal opportunities, cultural diversity and gender
- Master Degree
- 2+ years of experience
Send CV, cover letter (with examples of research experience) to jobs@alefliban.org (Subject line: AD-RC)
