Project Description:

The Strengthening public Defence Project will bolster the capacity and, as a result, effectiveness of Liberia’s public defenders through targeted inputs. These inputs will facilitate two activities: 1) Public defending Training and 2) Public Defending Logistical Support. This support is timely as the PBF JSC is considering two other proposals, both of which seek to strengthen the capacity of the prosecution: one establishes a SGBV Crime Unit within the Ministry of Justice to prosecute cases, while the other will create well equipped and trained prosecutors. Both projects present crucial peace building activities, but as the prosecution is bolster, so too must the quality and capacity of the defenders be improved.

Peacebuilding Impact:

By providing strategic inputs into specific institution, the Public Defenders’ office, the project will achieve a broad peace building impact. Institutional change effected through the personal transformation of key individuals (Public Defenders) will precipitate attitudinal and behavioural change among ordinary Liberians as they gain access to qualified, prepared, equipped public defenders, thus reinforcing popular acceptance of the justice system. With proper respect for due process and the rights of the accused, Liberians will see tangible change, only amplified when one considers how this will complement other tandem PBF proposals’ peace building impact, particularly the UNHCR/Carter Centre Strengthening the Rule of Law Project, and two projects to strengthen the Ministry of Justice: Strengthening the Rule of Law Sector to Effectively Address SGBV in Liberia project and supporting the Ministry of Justice in Improving Prosecution Services project

Outputs and Key Activities:

Key outcomes:

1.  Public defenders are effectively trained in procedural and substantive areas criminal defence in order to enhance justice delivery to the community.
2. Standard operating procedures are developed and put into place to monitor and evaluate performance of public defenders offices and their staff to ensure consistent application of institutional  and professional rules and regulations