Human Dynamics collaborated with the Republic of Congo’s Ministry of Justice and Human Rights (MJHR) to deliver the EuropeAid "Project for Strengthening the Rule of Law and Associations" (PAREDA) which concluded in May 2015. The project highlights Human Dynamics' depth of experience in working with all facets of the judicial process. PAREDA worked to consolidate the rule of law in compliance with the guidelines of the sectoral policy of justice established by the Congolese authorities. The project aimed to consolidate the rule of law in the Republic of Congo, through better functioning of justice; to improve conditions of detention of prisoners; to enhance the contribution of civil society in the promotion and protection of human rights; and to improve electoral governance and engagement by civil society.
The first step in achieving PAREDA's objectives was to equip the courts of Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire and Dolisie with computers, and to ensure the clerks and inspectors were competently trained in their use. The subsequent digitalisation of cases, law and jurisprudence texts has had an extremely positive impact on the efficiency of processing of the courts. The rapid implementation of this access sped the processing of files and accelerated court proceedings, as well as lead to the identification of dysfunctions (including corruption) in the process and steps to ameliorate these.
PAREDA’s activities extended beyond the courts to improve the living conditions experienced daily by prisoners. Amongst other achievements, the project's activities resulted in major improvements to the water supply and facilities in detainee houses in Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire and Dolisie – resulting in improved personal hygiene and living conditions; and improved quality of prisoners’ diet through the implementation of food plans – resulting in benefits to prisoners, both nutritionally and in terms of strength, health and concentration.
In addition, PAREDA worked with prison staff to develop appropriate training programmes so as to allow the prison population to apply their time in prison to reskilling and preparing to reintegrate into society in a positive way. PAREDA also built the national capacity for human rights. It strengthened the capacity to contribute to good governance and protect human rights not only inside the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights and the National Commission of Human Rights, but also among non-state actors. Capacity building included support to address issues in existing legislation. Specifically for non-state actors, PAREDA provided targeted funding to the work of several NGOs focused on promoting and protecting the rights of vulnerable groups and promoting their socioeconomic integration.
Pareda is the most important project financed by the EU in the field of democratic governance [in Congo-Brazaville]. [...] In Congo, civil society is still young. We think it needs to be strengthened to fully play its role as a player and partner vis-à-vis the development of the state and donors.