Nigeria: call for projects for civil society participation during the 72nd session of the United Nations Committee against Torture

I. INFORMATION ON THE ORGANISATION AND THE PROJECT

A. The OMCT

The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) was created in 1985. Based in Geneva, it relies on its extensive and active SOS-Torture Network, which operates in more than 90 countries, and is one of the largest coalitions of civil society organisations who fight against torture and all other forms of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. The OMCT's mission is to contribute to the eradication of torture, summary executions, disappearances, arbitrary detentions and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment and to protect victims and people at risk through its vast network of civil society groups. The OMCT coordinates the participation of civil society organisations before the United Nations Committee against Torture (hereafter CAT) and provides support to civil society organisations linked to the CAT.

You can find more information about the OMCT and its activities on the website of the United Nations Committee against Torture, as well as on the OMCT CAT blog or through our accounts on Facebook and Twitter.

B. THE PROJECT

The OMCT benefits from the financial support of the European Union (EU), of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, the Irish government, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland (FDFA) to support the initiatives of Nigerian actors aimed at fighting against torture and willing to contribute to the implementation of the recommendations of the Committee against Torture (CAT). The objective is to support civil society actors to submit an alternative report and participate to the 72nd session of the CAT during which Nigeria will be reviewed without submitting its initial report.

The total amount available for this project is 10.000 CHF.

II. SCOPE OF THE PROJECT AND METHODOLOGY

States which have ratified the Convention against Torture, like Nigeria, are required, in accordance with the provisions of Article 19, to submit periodic reports on the measures (legislative, administrative, judicial, other) adopted to implement the rights and obligations enshrined in the Convention against Torture. These reports serve as the basis for the assessment of States parties by the Committee against Torture, which results in the publication of its "Concluding Observations", a report containing the main concerns and recommendations. In the case of Nigeria, the State has failed to submit an initial report 20 years after ratifying the Convention. The CAT has however decided to review the implementation of the Convention in the absence of the said report during its upcoming 72nd session (November - December 2021).

The OMCT wishes to support the organisation of a workshop bringing together civil society to discuss the drafting and submission of a joint alternative report and advocacy for the implementation of CSO recommendations. Submitting organisations should make proposals which include, cumulatively, the following actions:

1) The organisation of a consultation workshop for civil society organisations, university experts, State institutions, diplomatic representatives and / or international cooperation agencies to discuss the measures taken within the legal and institutional framework to implement the Convention during the last 20 years. (To be implemented before the end of September 2021)

2) The organisation of a high-level advocacy meeting involving OMCT representatives and national authorities followed by a visit of key detention facilities (To be implemented before the end of September 2021)

3) The drafting of one alternative report on the implementation of the Convention against Torture in Nigeria to be submitted to the CAT by 16th October 2021

4) The organisation of a public webcast of the 72nd CAT session as well as advocacy meetings to disseminate the CAT session (November 2021)

5) The selection and organisation of the training of a group 10 journalists from various news platforms (online, printed, and audiovisual) during the CAT session in Geneva or home-based (November 2021, depending on travel conditions).

The proposed activities must be completed by December 7th, 2021. The OMCT may provide technical advice and / or participate in the preparation of reports to the CAT and in the design and implementation of the proposed activities. All tasks and activities should be organised:

> Encourage participatory and inclusive methodology and participatory decision-making.

> Evaluate the appropriate security guarantees of the participating people / organisations.

III. DURATION AND LOCATION

The proposed activities must be completed by December 7th, 2021. The chosen organisation or group of organisations must submit a narrative and financial report of all activities carried out.

IV. REQUIREMENTS AND ELIGIBILITY

Organisations with the following profile and skills are invited to express their interest:

Nigerian civil society organisations already working with the OMCT as Network members or partners will be privileged.

V. SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS

Requests formulated jointly by several organisations will be considered. In this case, it will be necessary to identify the organisation which is the principal applicant. The lead applicant organisation will be responsible for managing financial resources and submitting narrative and financial reports on time. The distribution of tasks between the applicant organisations must be specified in the request. Staff of the organisation(s) may be hired, or consultants may be hired for the implementation of the activities defined in this call.

A single application (individual or joint) will be chosen and supported, based on an evaluation with indicators taking into account the eligibility criteria, as well as the content, scope and methodology of the proposal.

Challenges related to Covid-19:

The proposals should be very flexible and include Covid-19 related risks and challenges. This means that the CAT session could take place online or be postponed. Applicants should propose mitigation strategies and alternative activities, as well as a proper risk assessment section that incorporates sanitary risks and protections for participants to different meetings.

Applications should be sent only by email to Isidore Ngueuleu, OMCT Human Rights Advisor in charge of the Africa region icnd@omct.org. The deadline is August 31, 2021.

To have your request taken into account, send an email with "CAT session - Nigeria" in the subject header, with the following attachments:

• A brief description that identifies the activities, methodology, objectives and expected results in each area of ​​action specified in this call. The justification should also indicate how the sustainability or continuity of the objectives of this call will be guaranteed in the future activities of the organisation(s);
• A budget which specifies the various expenses foreseen by field of action. The estimate of the cost of each action is indicative and the budget can be modified, but the total amount of aid is that mentioned in point I;
• A schedule including the execution of the activities provided for in point II.

This call is made possible with the financial support of the European Union, the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Irish government, and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of the OMCT and can in no way be taken to reflect the position of the European Union, the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Irish Government, or the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland.