The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) has
been conducting the Legal Cooperation Programme (LCP)
since 1993 to strengthen the influence and capacity of
human rights defenders vis-à-vis the government and the
international community. Through the LCP, the FIDH provides a forum of exchange between human rights defenders and State authorities on key human rights issues in the country. The LCP responds to needs clearly identified by FIDH’s local partners. Themes have varied from the police and human rights, the administration of justice (Kenya), the struggle against impunity (Chad), and the rights of Internally Displaced persons (IDPs) (Uganda).
The invited government representatives comprise the
ministers, police, security forces, army, prison officials, magistrates, etc. These programmes are particularly effective thanks to the multidisciplinary character and the diverse geographical origins of FIDH experts, as well as the professionalism of local partners.
The principle of the LCP is that the forum in the form of a workshop is only a first step and that the outcome, the recommendations adopted at the end of the workshops, must be thoroughly pursued thereafter and during the phase of follow-up.
In Kenya, the LCP was implement with the Kenyan Human Rights Commission (KHRC), member organisation of the FIDH in Kenya.
A preparatory mission, aiming at examining the theme of the seminar, took place in November 2000. Considering that many human rights violations were committed by the police, the FIDH and the KHRC decided that the theme of the seminar would be "The Role of the Police in the Administration of Justice".
Legal Cooperation Programme in Kenya: "Role of the Police in the Administration of Justice"