Grants and Contributions:
The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) strengthened capacity of lawyers in the DRC and Burundi to build case files, undertake investigations and provide effective legal assistance to victims of international crimes and serious human rights violations; (2) improved capacity of Burundian and Congolese human rights defenders and civil society organizations to properly document international crimes and serious human rights violations, contributing to the referral of such cases to relevant (national and international) judicial bodies; and (3)improved capacity of Congolese judicial actors (judicial police, prosecutors and judges) to effectively investigate and prosecute international crimes and serious human rights violations, including through a better understanding of the use of new technologies in evidence collection.
The Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOPs) is an integral component of the Government of Canada’s toolbox to prevent and respond to conflicts and crises abroad. It supports rapid, effective, whole-of-government coordinated responses to a wide range of challenges and serves as a valuable instrument for supporting stability in conflict-affected regions. PSOPs provides visible and concrete assistance in response to conflicts and crises abroad through targeted programming, the deployment of Canadian police officers (in partnership with Public Safety Canada and the RCMP) and civilian personnel, and direct support to the UN and multilateral peace operations, conflict prevention, mediation, and peacebuilding efforts.