Free legal consultations in prisons and legal assistance
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Prison visits lasting 2 days and carried out by a group of 5 lawyers who are members of ASF Mali and 2 lawyers/magistrates from ASF France.
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During these visits, the lawyers hold hearings in order to hear the detainees and provide immediate solutions or advice. During interviews with detainees or persons in police custody, they also identify the most serious cases that require follow-up on the case.
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Priority is given to vulnerable persons: vulnerable because of their age, gender, condition, impunity, isolation or stigmatization.
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Approximately 200 cases were followed through to the end of the procedure by the project's Malian lawyers.
Training of judicial actors
The trainings are intended for the actors of the penal chain involved in the prison system: lawyers, magistrates, judicial police officers (police and gendarmerie), prison staff, registry. The professional mix of judicial actors during the training courses makes it possible not to stigmatize a profession, but on the contrary to establish a dialogue, identify any obstacles that may exist, and identify good practices.
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These trainings are led by 2 lawyers/magistrates from ASF France and 1 lawyer from ASF Mali.
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In all, approximately 300 judicial actors will have received training.
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The training focuses on compliance with the minimum rules for detention, and on Mali's international commitments in terms of respect for human rights.
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The content of the training is based on situations observed during prison visits.
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After each training session, the representatives of each corps are encouraged to organize a restitution day at their respective institutions in order to multiply the benefits of the training.
Round-table discussion with the heads of the judicial bodies
A half-day round-table discussion is organized after the days of prison visits and training of judicial actors. These round tables thus complement the work and reflection undertaken during the training sessions on the minimum rules of detention.
The round tables are an instrument of dialogue and consultation: they address the problematic points during the judicial process that can lead to the violation of the rights of persons deprived of their liberty. The judicial actors decide together on resolutions aimed at disseminating new practices more respectful of these rights.