OHCHR Call for Applications to the Special Fund

The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is accepting project applications for its call for applications to the Special Fund of the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention against Torture 2011-2012. The project applications should aim at implementing recommendations made by the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) after a visit to a State party.

Eligible applicants include State Parties who requested the SPT to publish their country visit reports and National Preventive Mechanisms.

In addition, applications may be submitted as well by National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI), if fully compliant with the Paris Principles and by Non-Governmental organizations (NGO), in particular if the proposed projects are implemented in cooperation with State Parties and/or NPMs.

Applicants may request grants of up to US$ 20,000, for project applications implemented between 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012.

In 2011, four thematic priorities have been established:

•     Notifications of fundamental rights to detainees in a language which they can understand
•     Improving recreational and/or vocational activities for juveniles in detention
•     Basic training programmes for detention personnel (with the inclusion of a focus on health care)
•     Any other specific recommendation in the visit reports that details a pressing and compelling need.

All applications must be submitted in English, French or Spanish.

The final number of grants awarded will depend on the proposed budgets of selected project applications, as well as the financial resources of the Fund.

The Call for Applications 2011-2012 will close on 30 November 2011 at 24:00 CET. For more information, visit this link.