EUROsociAL+ supports the fight against prison institutional violence

One of the objectives of the Inter-American Association of Public Defenders (AIDEF) is the defence of the validity and effectiveness of human rights. It was for this reason that EUROsociAL+, a programme financed by the European Union and managed by the FIIAPP, supported this association of Public Defenders in the preparation of a Regional Guide for action in cases of prison institutional violence.   

This guide, which was approved and presented by the AIDEF at its 8th International Congress in Santiago, Chile, seeks to enhance the functions of the Official Public Defenders regarding the protection of the rights of persons deprived of freedom who have suffered institutional violence in prison. In particular, we work on information and legal advice, representation and defence before administrative or court authorities, and on educating people about rights.   

The Congress, which was attended by public defenders from throughout Latin America, was opened by the General Coordinator of AIDEF and National Defender of Chile, the Minister of Justice and Human Rights of Chile, the President of the Supreme Court of Chile and the Vice President of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.  

Despite the concern about the seriousness of the situations, as well as the efforts of various countries to address it, there was no regional proposal to develop a model of comprehensive care for victims. We therefore started with a diagnosis of this type of violence and of existing systems and good practices for responding to them. The results and conclusions were shared at the AIDEF session at the OAS headquarters in Washington DC.