Strategy to achieve the objectives of the Coalition «Against Torture»
The Coalition «Against Torture» (hereinafter, Coalition) has been created in the beginning of 2017. It consists of 12 Ukrainian human rights organizations’ (see Memorandum of the Coalition).
The overall objectives of the Coalition:
combating torture and ill-treatment in Ukraine in all areas where they are used,
fighting against impunity of those who committed these crimes;
providing legal, medical, psychological, social, rehabilitative and other assistance to victims of torture and ill-treatment and their families; and
creating conditions for prevention of cruel treatment.
The mission of the Coalition – eradicating torture and overcoming impunity in Ukraine.
The Coalition vision is to strengthen proactive influence on the state and society, in order to prevent violation of freedom from torture and ill-treatment in Ukraine and help build a democratic and legal state and civil society development.
Strategic objectives which Coalition is to solve to realise its strategic vision:
- expand our influence on state bodies through:
- development of cooperation with international partners;
- holding successful strategic litigations;
- impact on the law-making and reforming process;
- co-operation with the institute of Ombudsman;
- development of joint activities with those people working in public administration bodies and judicial system, whose values are similar with ours and who oriented to reforms of European nature.
- expand our influence on public opinion through:
- successful defense of victims of torture and ill-treatment in concrete cases;
- rendering free legal, medical, psychological and socials services;
- educational and aware-raising programmes;
- volunteer programs;
- involvement in the Coalition of NGOs that share its values and able to perform its tasks;
- cooperation with non-governmental organisations outside of the Coalition with the same goals and values.
- expand our influence on professional community through:
- contributing court and criminal justice reforms;
- rendering high quality educational and information services;
- the number of successful litigations, including strategic;
- implementation of the standards of services for victims of violence and cruel treatment.
Coalition is governed in its work by the following values:
- Humanity and compassion
- Tolerance
- Professionalism
- Transparency and openness
- Mutual confidence
- Creative self-organisation of its members
- Mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual assistance of the Coalitions’ members.
Coalition development is based on improvement of a work of each member and on development of programs to achieve better efficiency in realisation of the Coalition mission and strategic vision as well as improvement of the Coalitions members’ management system and development of organisational capacity of each member.
Coalition Strategy in the period 2017-2019 and Results Assessment Framework for its fulfilment
Overall Objective/Mission
Indicators
Means of verification
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Eradicating torture and overcoming impunity in Ukraine |
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| Expected Outcomes | Indicators | Baseline | Means of verification |
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1. Défense of victims of torture and ill-treatment in specific cases |
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1.1 25 strategic cases for victims of torture and ill-treatments have been won in national courts and 16 in international courts each year |
- Number of won cases in national courts - Number of won cases in international courts |
2018 – 38 cases have been won in the national courts, 10 cases – in the ECtHR. |
Annual Narrative Reports of the Coalition members |
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1.2. 50 victims of torture and ill-treatment successfully carried on rehabilitation program |
– Number of torture victims who successfully carried on rehabilitation program |
2018 – 36 patients successfully carried on rehabilitation program |
Annual Narrative Reports of the NGO “Forpost” Publications in mass media |
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2. Collection and distribution of information about torture phenomenon |
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2.1. Increased knowledge and awareness about Human Rights among professionals, Coalition members’ beneficiaries and the general public. |
- Amount of media coverage of Coalition members’ public events - Examples of applications of knowledge by professionals linked to Coalition’s information. - Number of hits and downloads at the Coalition members’ websites per day |
Media coverage estimated: in 2018 – 830 in 2018 – 8 registered drafts law on amendments to penal law 2018 – 3300 hits and downloads per day |
Use Google to see media coverage from events. Annual Narrative Reports of Coalition members, publications of Coalition members and mass media Internet statistic |
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3. Monitoring and analysis of the situation with torture in Ukraine |
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3.1. In-depth analysis and information on Ukraine’s implementation of anti-torture policy and proposals of new laws and practices are available and known to the government and stakeholders. |
- Examples of references made from Coalition members’ reports and papers used by state bodies, media, international organisations, lawyers and partners - Number of hits and downloads at the Coalition members’ websites per day |
Estimated number of references: in 2018 – 18 reports 2018 – 4000 hits and downloads |
Annual Narrative Reports of Coalition members Publications of Coalition members and mass media Internet statistic |
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4. Coalition members’ organizational development |
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4.1. Coalition members have achieved financial sustainability with an annual turnover of at least 28 Million UAH. |
- Annual turnover, thousands |
2018 – 27 328,6 thousand UAH |
Annual financial reports of the Coalition members |
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4.2. Coalition members are organisations with a transparent, organized and efficient financial management system in line with good international practices as well as satisfied and efficient staff |
- Opinion by external and internal auditors - Annual staff turnover - Number of skills improvement events among staff |
2018 - Reports of International audits and internal audits 2018 - 11 hired, 3 dismissed (retired) 2018 – 44 events, 22 staff members and 6 volunteers |
Questionnaire for staff Annual Narrative Reports of the Coalition members |
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4.3. Membership in the Coalition annually joins at least two human rights NGOs |
- Number of the Coalition members |
1/02/2018 – 12 human rights NGOs |
Annual Narrative Report of the Coalition |
| Expected Outcomes | Indicators | Baseline | Means of verification |
|
1.1. a) 500 consultations for potential and real victims of torture and ill-treatment have been made every year b) 520 legal suits have been drafted for victims of torture and ill-treatment per year c) 200 strategic cases are pursued by Coalition members every year d) Number of cases in national and international courts |
- Number of consultations to potential and real victims of torture and ill-treatment -Number of drafted legal suits - Number of initiated strategic cases Number of national court proceedings Number of applications in ECtHR |
2018 – 460 consultations for torture victims 2018 – 518 legal suits 2018 =232 (64 cases in the ECtHR, 168 cases in national courts) |
Annual Narrative Reports of the Coalition members |
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1.2. a) 50 torture victims carried on medical treatment per year b) 500 torture victims received psychological counselling per year c) 40 torture victims carried on rehabilitation program per year d) 40 torture victims received social assistance per year |
- Number of torture victims carried on medical treatment - Number of torture victims received psychological counselling per year - Number of torture victims received rehabilitation program per year - Number of torture victims received social assistance per year |
2018 – 45 2018 – 440 2018 – 38 2018 – 38 |
Annual Narrative Report of the NGO “Forpost” |
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2.1. a) Supporting Coalition members’ sites; in average 240 publications per month b) Coalition members produced 20 books per year c) Coalition members has organised 36 public events in question every year e) Coalition members have organized 10 educational events with a total of 340 participants in question every year. |
- Number of publications per month - Number of books Number of public and educational events - Number of their participants |
2018 – 252 publications per month 2018 – 24 books, 2018 -36 public events, 8 educational events with 2640 participants |
Annual Narrative Reports of Coalition members Annual Reports of Ukrainian Human Rights NGOs Publications of Coalition members and mass media Internet statistic |
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3.1. a) Coalition members have produced 16 reports/papers with recommendations on the Human Rights situation in Ukraine every year. b) Coalition members have drafted 4 proposals to new laws every year. c) Coalition members have spread its reports/papers and draft laws via printed and electronic media to 210 recipients. d) Coalition members have spread information to at least 120 international organizations e) Coalition members have spread information to at least 2300 lawyers f) Coalition members have spread information to at least 250 partner NGOs |
- Number of reports/paper - Number of draft laws - Number of state bodies that have received information - Number of media institutions receiving information - Number of international organizations that have received information - Number of lawyers that have received information - Number of partners that have received information |
2018 – 12 reports 2018 – 8 drafts law 2018 –180 state bodies 2018 – 210 media institutions 2018 – 121 international organizations 2018 – 2278 lawyers 2018 – 244 partner NGOs |
Annual Narrative Reports of Coalition members Annual Reports of Ukrainian Human Rights NGOs Publications of Coalition members and mass media Internet statistic |
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4.1. a) Coalition members have an on-going dialogue at least with 16 donors. b) Coalition members have on-going support from at least 10 different donors. |
- Number of donors that Coalition members has on-going dialogue - Number of donors that Coalition members has signed contracts - Received [amount]Euro |
2018: On-going dialogue with 16 donors, Signed contracts with 12 donors, |
Financial plans Annual Financial Reports of the Coalition members |
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4.2. a) Each staff member of Coalition members should have an individual career development plan including career goals. b) At least three of Coalition members employed lawyers should be licenced. c) All of Coalition members’ lawyers should do an international internship during 2017-2019. |
- Percentage of staff members that has got an individual career development plan 100% - Number of licensed lawyers - Number of lawyers who have done an international internship. |
100 % has individual career development plan. 2018 – 5 licensed lawyers 2018 - 7 lawyers have done an international internship |
Staff manuals of the Coalition members, questionnaires for staff Annual Narrative Reports of the Coalition members Licenses of lawyers Reports on international internship. |
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e) Coalition members carried on an external audit at international standard every year. f) Coalition members have developed and implemented a Procurement policy. |
- External audit commissioned every year. - Number of open tendering procedures |
2018 – external audit commissioned 2018 – 15 open tendering procedures |
Reports of International audit Procurement policies of the Coalition members |
Analysis of strategic risks of the Coalition
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Risk |
Type |
Probability |
Impact |
Risk factor |
Risk mitigation strategy |
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Reluctance of President and Government t to improve the internal state policy towards usage of torture and ill-treatment |
External |
2 |
4 |
8 |
Organising the wide informational campaign to force the government to admit the necessity of change the internal state policy. Cooperation with international organisations and bodies as well as Ukrainian civil society for pressure on the state. |
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Gross interference of the state into the Coalition activities, political persecution |
External |
1 |
5 |
5 |
Using all legal defence mechanisms both nationally and internationally. Initiating information and protesting campaign in media. |
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Worsening political struggle, war intensification |
External |
4 |
5 |
20 |
Using the situation for the assertion of human rights values. The information campaign on the necessity to observe human rights, even in emergency situations. Development of recommendations to public authorities, law enforcement agencies as well as to the opposition. Demonstration on how to avoid human rights violations. |
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Lack of funding |
External |
3 |
5 |
15 |
Increased fundraising activity. Developing financial plan and try to follow it. |
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Lack of cooperation with state bodies in the sphere of Human Right |
External |
3 |
3 |
9 |
The campaign to force the state bodies to cooperate in the sphere of human rights. Developing communication strategy and try to follow it. |
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Insufficient knowledge and skills of partner NGOs |
External |
3 |
3 |
9 |
Developing the educational programmes for partners |
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The growing economic crisis, instability of the hryvnia, possible default in Ukraine |
External |
4 |
3 |
12 |
Monitoring of economic situation in Ukraine. Preventive and operational activities for saving funds of the Coalition members |
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Lack of qualified staff |
Internal |
2 |
5 |
10 |
Effective personnel management. Developing the educational programmes for Coalition members’ staff |
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Lack of internal communication of the Coalition members |
Internal |
3 |
3 |
9 |
Development of the Coalition communication strategy and follow it. |
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Corruption within the Coalition members |
Internal |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Develop Anti-corruption policy that all employees of each Coalition member have signed. Carry out an external financial audit every year. |
Directions of joint activities of the Coalition:
1. Studying the causes of torture and ill treatment through conducting legal, social, psychological and other research.
2. Work on implementing recommendations and decisions of international bodies in legislation and administration of the law, among other things, by influencing legislation and practice and reforming law enforcement and other agencies.
3. Documenting cases of torture, ill treatment, suspicious deaths, enforced disappearances, illegal detention, particularly incommunicado, gender-based violence and other extraordinary human rights violations.
4. Providing assistance to victims of torture and ill treatment and their families - legal, medical, psychological and rehabilitative.
5. Fight against impunity, bringing to responsibility of those who commit crimes listed above.
6. Monitoring cases of torture and ill treatment in law enforcement bodies, prisons, psychiatric institutions, social institutions, places of temporary stay of migrants and other places of detention in Ukraine, both legitimate and established illegally, and other public institutions associated with the use of ill-treatment, including medical facilities.
7. Countering infringement of the principle non refoulement.
8. Informing about the problem of torture and ill treatment in Ukraine and on the activities of the Coalition.
9. Development of specialized network of Ukrainian and international organizations, human rights activists, lawyers and journalists both in Ukraine and abroad, for conducting pressure on the Ukrainian state in order to eliminate torture and ill treatment, overcoming impunity and protecting human rights.
10. Strengthening capacity of the Coalition members in the prevention of torture and ill-treatment, combating impunity and implementing international human rights standards.
Principles of co-operation between the Coalition members:
Solidarity. The Coalition members build relationships with each other based on mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual assistance. Acts or omissions of Coalition members should not harm other participants and the Coalition.
Voluntariness. Participation in the Coalition is voluntary, but leaving the Coalition does not terminate the obligations arising during stay in the Coalition, in particular, concerning the confidentiality of information.
Equality. The Coalition members are equal in their rights and duties.
Independence. The Coalition members are independent from the Coalition in their actions not covered by the principles on which the Coalition is built and agreements within the Coalition. Participants shall not interfere in the internal affairs of each other.
The principle of freedom of activity. The Coalition members are free to choose the directions and methods of work.
Responsibility. The Coalition members shall comply with their obligations before others participants.
Legality. The coalition members shall observe the legislation of Ukraine.
Gratuitousness. Financing of the Coalition and members of the coalition shall not be conducted at the expense of victims of human rights violations. Legal and other assistance to victims is provided free of charge for them without anticipating any payments in the future.
Confidentiality. Information about victim of human rights violation and witnesses, as well as] information provided by them may be disclosed only with the written consent of such persons. Conflict between the right of access to information on the activities of the Coalition and the right to privacy of victims of human rights violations shall be resolved in favor of privacy.
Openness, visibility and transparency. Coalition activities should be open and transparent to the public.
Resolving conflicts within the Coalition. In case of disputes, collisions and conflicts between the Coalition members they are obliged to try resolving these conflicts through dialogue and compromise within the Coalition, so as not to cause damage to its reputation.
Goodwill, tolerance, respect for position of the minority. The Coalition members seek to rule of a favorable atmosphere in the Coalition and adoption of common decisions by consensus.
