The Protection Project is committed to working throughout the world with all who are willing to make a difference in fighting violations of human rights. Therefore, The Protection Project regularly carries out capacity-building programs for non-governmental practitioners and government officials, and engages representatives of international organizations in bringing international mechanisms of human rights protection closer to those who need them most.
Capacity-Building Programs for Civil Society and Government Officials Working to Combat Trafficking in Persons Around the World
The Protection Project works closely with international counterparts to build capacity to combat trafficking in persons and recognizes the need for long-term assistance. As such, The Protection Project has carried out comprehensive long-term training and capacity-building programs on trafficking in persons for counterparts in Iraq, Southeastern Europe (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Serbia and Montenegro), and the Persian Gulf Countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates). The Protection Project is currently assisting the University of Alexandria in Alexandria, Egypt, with the establishment and management of the first legal aid clinic which is devoted to assisting victims of trafficking in persons, as well as violence against women. The Protection Project is also supporting the faculties of law at Tanta University, Helwan University, Assiut University, Mansoura University, Ain Shams University, and others in setting up legal clinics.
Trainings of Service Providers in the United States in Assisting Victims of Trafficking in Persons
To ensure that the benefits of the U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), passed in 2000 and reauthorized in 2003, 2005, 2008, and 2013, over the years The Protection Project has assisted numerous service providers throughout the United States in understanding the law and its implementation through capacity-building programs for law enforcement officials, medical and psychological care providers, legal assistance, services providers, social workers, local and state government officials, as well as NGOs providing direct services to victims of trafficking. Some of the states where The Protection Project conducted such training programs included California, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, and many others, as well as the District of Columbia. As part of these training programs, The Protection Project also facilitated city- and state-wide referral network development so as to facilitate victims’ access to services and assistance they are entitled to.
State Reporting under the Arab Charter on Human Rights”: An Official Meeting of the League of Arab States in Cairo, Egypt
This official meeting of the League of Arab States was organized by The Protection Project to explore the monitoring and reporting provisions the Arab Charter on Human Rights, which came into force in March 2008. The workshop likewise covered in detail the civil and political rights, as well as the economic, social and cultural rights stipulated in the Arab Charter in relation to State reporting obligations. Participants included representatives of the 22 Arab countries who are of the League of Arab States. The Protection Project had organized a similar official meeting of the League of Arab States in October 2007, on the Status of Anti-Trafficking Legislation in the Arab World.
Volunteerism: Innovative Practice and Pathways for Future Engagement”: An International Workshop in Nanjing, China
This workshop was carried out by The Protection Project at The Johns Hopkins University-Nanjing University Center for Chinese and American Studies and focused on exploring the concept of volunteerism as an effective means of advancing international development and enhancing to justice. Particular attention was paid to the role of academic, professional, governmental, non-governmental, and private sector communities in volunteer work through such means as internships, externships, pro-bono legal work, and initiatives in the realm of corporate social responsibility. Participants from China, the United States, and countries included representatives of youth groups, law schools, legal aid centers, as well as legal professionals, experts in pro-bono work, and leaders in building communities of volunteers.
Islam, CEDAW and Women’s Rights: Reservations to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW): An International Workshop in Tunis, Tunisia
This workshop was carried out by The Protection Project in cooperation with the Center for Arab Women Training and Research (CAWTAR), based in Tunis, Tunisia and focused on a comprehensive analysis of Muslim countries’ reservations to CEDAW and recommendations, in Islamic jurisprudence, for removal of such reservations. As such, the workshop explored Islamic fiqh in a comparative perspective with the provisions of CEDAW, and analyses of case studies from Muslim countries that have removed reservations. Presenters and participants included human rights scholars and advocates, experts in Islamic fiqh, and government officials from the Middle East and North Africa.
Clinical Legal Education: Comparative Models: A Workshop in Istanbul, Turkey
This workshop was carried out by The Protection Project in cooperation with the Legal Clinic staff of the Bilgi University in Istanbul, Turkey. The workshop focused on the concept of legal aid through legal clinics affiliated with universities, the necessary foundations for establishing legal clinics, expanding to justice through legal clinics, clinical teaching methods, and cooperation with Bar associations to promote the delivery of pro bono legal assistance. Participants in the workshop included clinical experts from around the world, including the United States, South Africa, Poland, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and beyond.
“Family Laws in the Muslim World: Comparative Perspectives”: An International Conference in Fès, Morocco (December 2007)
Under the Royal Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this conference was carried out by The Protection Project in cooperation with the Fondation Esprit de Fès, to explore Morocco’s reforms of its Personal Status Law, the Mudawana, from the perspective of its harmonization with the international human rights of women and children. Discussion topics thus included international family law, Islamic family law, as well as an overview of the history, reform, and provisions of the reformed Moroccan Mudawana, and the activism and coalitions among women’s rights advocates and religious that led to its reforms, under the leadership of the King. The conference likewise explored the reform agenda for the Muslim world and discussed the lessons that can be learned from the Mudawana reform process. Presenters included religious scholars and feminist leaders and advocates from the Middle East and North Africa, and attendees included government officials, scholars, advocates and students interested in the Mudawana reforms and women’s and children’s rights under family law.
Violence Against Children”: An International Workshop in Ankara, Turkey
This workshop, carried out by The Protection Project in cooperation with the Middle East Technical University (METU), addressed the legal for the protection of children from violence under international law, constitutional law, customary law, and regional human rights conventions. Special topics in violence against children were covered by various speakers, including the effects of domestic violence on children, children’s conflict with the law and juvenile justice, children working on the street, trafficking of children, the involvement of children in armed conflict, punishment in schools, and the prevention of violence against children. Participants and speakers included human rights scholars and representatives of international organizations.
Preparing Iraqi Women as Leaders, Advocates and Participants in the Political Process: A Training Program in Baghdad, Iraq
This training program, carried out by The Protection Project in cooperation with the University of Baghdad, focused on training society participants in advocating on behalf of their constituencies, and reaching out to women in anticipation of the Iraqi elections which took place in 2005 to educate them about their rights and role in the political process.