- Program Civil Society
- Program Area Special Initiatives
- Grant Amount $100,000
- Grant Period January 1, 2003–December 31, 2004
- Location St. Petersburg, Russia
- Geographic Focus Russia
About this grant
The past few years have brought new challenges to Russia. Besides the serious issue of xenophobia, Russia has not yet established an effective system of parliamentary and public control over the activities of security services, armed forces, the police and the justice system.Multiyear funding will support efforts to address issues surrounding the responses of law enforcement agencies to race-related and hate crimes. Activities will include a seminar for federal and regional deputies and other interested parties to develop a draft law; two seminars for police officers and judges on international experience concerning race-related and hate crimes; a seminar for police experts on policing in a multiethnic society; a conference for regional police officers on the implementation of the federal law on combating extremist activities; internships for a group of Russian judges, prosecutors, police officers and human rights activists at the Race-Hate Crimes Forum in London; and internships in Germany for Russian judges and police investigators who intend to specialize in race-related and hate crimes. In addition, efforts will include working to ensure greater transparency and independence of Russian courts and law enforcement agencies; and developing a more effective juvenile justice system.Citizens’ Watch is a non-governmental human rights organization formed in 1992 to prevent violations of constitutional rights by governmental agencies.