JUSTICE FOR ALL

The JUSTICE FOR ALL project aims to improve the rights and living conditions of defendants and detained persons with intellectual and/or psychosocial disabilities.

The Stockholm Programme of the European Union (EU) called on the Member States to make efforts to strengthen mutual trust and make the principle of mutual recognition in the area of deprivation of liberty more effective. It also called on EU Member States (MS) to address the issue of alternatives to detention.

The project will identify challenges, gaps and best practices regarding the implementation and practical application of relevant EU Framework Decisions (European Arrest Warrant, transfer of sentenced persons; probation measures and alternative sanctions, European Supervision Order).

In addition, the project will also examine domestic aspects that may stand in the way of cross-border cooperation. One aspect concerns the preventive detention of accused and detained persons with intellectual and psychosocial impairments who have been classified as mentally incompetent in criminal proceedings and who may be deprived of their liberty for long periods of time, in some cases for life.

The aim of the project is, on the one hand, to raise awareness of the rights of defendants and persons with intellectual and/or psychosocial disabilities in detention and, on the other hand, to promote judicial cooperation and mutual recognition in criminal matters within the EU.

Specifically, this is to be achieved by carrying out national desk research, national and regional consultation procedures and the preparation of comparative reports and key recommendations. The results of the project, including the national reports and key recommendations, will be presented at a virtual conference and national publication events.

Project coordination: Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Fundamental and Human Rights(Opens in a new tab)  (Austria)

Partner organizations: Bulgarian Helsinki Committee(Opens in a new tab)  (Bulgaria), Antigone(Opens in a new tab)  (Italy), Mental Health Perspectives (Opens in a new tab) (Lithuania), Peace Institute(Opens in a new tab)  (Slovenia)