Fostering the Growth of Civil Society in the Gulf: Advocacy and Coalition-Building in Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait
The Protection Project partnered with universities in Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait to enhance the protection of the rights of domestic workers in these countries. To this end, The Protection Project assisted in establishing legal clinics in the three universities and assisted in the establishment of a coalition among the five elements of civil society including academic institutions, religious scholars, NGOs, the private sector, and the media in the three countries to promote the rights of domestic workers. The legal clinics at the participating universities drafted a Model Law on the Protection of the Rights of Domestic Workers.
Increasing Identification of Victims of Trafficking in Egypt Through the Promotion of Legal Aid Clinics
The Protection Project continues its successful anti-trafficking activities in Egypt by partnering with local stakeholders, such as governmental and non-governmental organizations and academic institutions; The Protection Project regards the passage of Law No. 64 of 2010 on Combating Human Trafficking – combined with the 2011-2013 Egyptian National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking a tremendous achievement in the fight against human trafficking in the country. The Protection Project applauds the government of Egypt for adopting the Second National Action Plan for the years 2013-2016 and provided technical assistance to ensure its effective implementation through trainings and workshops with legal aid clinics established at Egyptian law faculties on providing legal aid to trafficking victims.
Homelessness and trafficking of children in the DC area: An investigation of an unacknowledged population
To address the urgent need for improved mechanisms to identify and assist victims of trafficking in the Washington DC area, The Protection Project conducted a survey among shelters for homeless youth in the city to identify potential overlaps in the root causes of homelessness and trafficking in persons. The results of the survey were published and circulated among the anti-trafficking community and the service provides of the youth homeless population as a means to raise awareness and provide targeted trainings to front liners.
Enhancing the Role of Civil Society Organizations through Advocacy and Legal Reform in Jordan and Kuwait
The Protection Project partnered with civil society organizations in Jordan and in Kuwait to increase awareness across these countries on freedom of association and protection and promotion of the rights of NGOs through advocacy and legal reform. To this end, The Protection Project established an NGO Network for Freedom of Association in Jordan and Kuwait and a drafting committee charged with drafting an Arab Model Law on Freedom of Association and Establishment and Operation of NGOs. More information on the project can be found here.
Preventing Trafficking in Persons and Protecting Victims in Jordan and Lebanon: Public Awareness Programming Engaging Religious Leaders, Civil Society, and the Media
The Protection Project engaged religious leaders, civil society, and the media to educate the general public about human trafficking. The program promoted appropriate responses to the problem of human trafficking via faith based training of trainers, and broad awareness campaigns, targeting the general public through town hall meetings and public service announcements. Working with local partners, The Protection Project aimed at preventing trafficking and improving responses to the protection of victims while building the technical expertise of local civil society organizations.
Enhancing the Role of the Civil Society in Protecting Victims of Labor Trafficking and Exploitation in Egypt
The Protection Project worked with its partner organizations in Egypt to strengthen local leadership and technical expertise in key elements of civil society to provide comprehensive services to victims of labor trafficking and exploitation. To this end, The Protection Project created an anti-trafficking National Network; provided victims of trafficking with appropriate psychological and medical care through the establishment of a specialized medical clinic, and enhanced access to justice for victims of trafficking through counseling and education.
Enhancing Access to Justice in Egypt through NGO Representation of Victims of Human Rights Violations
The Protection Project, in partnership with the National Center for State Courts in Egypt recently conducted a program in Egypt aimed at increasing the capacity of Egyptian civil society institutions in providing specialized legal assistance and representation to victims of human rights violations.The program was aimed at broadening access to justice by providing a means for the most vulnerable sectors of society to receive low or no cost guidance and representation before the courts. As part of the program, The Protection Project also built a referral network of human rights defender institutions and carried out public outreach for the defense of victims of human rights violations by facilitating cooperation between human rights defender institutions and the media.
Implementing the Iraqi Constitutional Mandate: Criminalizing Trafficking in Persons and Promoting Effective Protective Measures for Victims of Trafficking
The Protection Project worked for over three years with key elements of the Iraqi Council of Representatives and Council of Ministers on drafting a comprehensive anti-trafficking law based on the principle of non-punishment of the victim. In implementing the program, The Protection Project also cooperated with Iraqi NGOs in organizing a national public awareness campaign aimed at preventing trafficking and strengthening the mechanisms of victims within the country. The Iraqi Council of Representatives passed a comprehensive anti-trafficking law on February 23, 2012.