Enhancing Detainees’ Rights in Tunisia

Background
The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the U.S. Department of State is seeking organizations to submit applications for a project that will improve access to justice for detainees in Tunisia, including by enhancing detainees’ legal rights. The project aims to protect and improve the basic rights of individuals in custody, complying with the relevant Tunisian legal framework, and empowering the legal rights of Tunisian citizens, particularly from vulnerable groups who are more likely exposed to violations.

Grant Details
The project seeks to enhance detainees’ rights in Tunisia by expanding access to legal aid and improving enforcement of detainee rights in Tunisia. It aims to raise awareness of the legal provisions in Law 5 among criminal justice and security stakeholders, defense lawyers, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the Tunisian public; implement an automated referral system to alert and assign public defenders to cases; and build the capacity of CSOs to conduct advocacy, provide legal aid, and conduct pre- and post-trial detention monitoring. The proposal should focus on five interconnected Specific Objectives: empowering the Tunisian public through increased legal and civic engagements; digitizing access to defense lawyers; training key judicial and law enforcement stakeholders; equipping civil society with technical capacity and advocacy skills; building and animating a coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) focused on criminal justice reform.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs), U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code or section 26 US 115 of the U.S. tax code, foreign-based non-profits/non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and foreign-based educational institutions.
Cost share is recommended but not required for this project.
All organizations must have a unique entity identifier (UEI) as well as a valid registration on www.SAM.gov.
Applicants are only allowed to submit one proposal per organization.

Period of Performance
The initial project implementation length is 24 months with an anticipated program start date of October 1, 2024.
The deadline for submission of applications is July 3, 2024.

Grant Value
$2,000,000 USD is available for this grant opportunity with anticipated number of awards being 1 award.

Place of Performance
The project will be performed in Tunisia, specifically in the Governorates of Gafsa, Jendouba, Kairouan, Manouba (or Ben-Arous), Medenine, Nabeul, and Sousse.