Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor (HCA Vanadzor ) unites individuals who acknowledge the supreme principles of democracy, tolerance, pluralism and human rights as values. The vision of HCA Vanadzor is to form a society based on the supreme values of human dignity, democracy and peace. The mission of HCA Vanadzor is the promotion and support of civil initiatives, strengthening of rights protection and peace-building activities on regional and national levels.
The fellowship activity proposed is related to the directions below:
- Research and study of the situation of human rights issues in the penitentiary system, armed forces, elections and local self-government and analysis of international legislation and documents relating to the mentioned topics.
- Development of the organisation’s database of the legal aid provided to citizens.
Within the first direction we aim to work on the following institutions:
- Penitentiary Institutions
The research topic is as follows: permissibility of cell phones in prisons in other countries (legislation and practice). The countries will be decided and discussed with the fellow. However, the main focus will be on European countries, Ukraine and Turkey. At least five countries will be chosen.
- Armed Forces
The research topic is as follows: resolutions, recommendations of the Council of Europe relating to armed forces in Turkey and Armenia. The fellow will be asked to research the documents, create a database of the documents and do an analysis
- Elections and Local Self-Government
The research topic is as follows: The fellow will be asked to research the OSCE/ODHIR documents relating to elections and do an analysis of the correspondence of free and fair elections in Turkey to the Local Self-Government Charter.
Within the second direction we would like the fellow to be engaged on the development of the organisation’s database for data entry and further analysis of the legal aid results. Apart from that we would like the fellow to assist in improvement of the organisation’s webpage design and functioning.
EXPECTED PROFILE
- Certain knowledge of human rights and peacebuilding
- Ability to do research and analysis of legal documents
- Ability to work independently and in a team
- Willingness and intention to perform activities to contribute towards a dialogue and cooperation between the civil societies of Turkey and Armenia;
- Ability of working with new information technologies
- Knowledge of English
CONDITIONS OF THE FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITY
The fellow is expected the be present at the office Monday to Friday, 8 hours per day. In case of emergency events Saturday/Sunday and non-working hours possible.
The fellows will be provided with work space, a desk, a chair, a computer and necessary office supplies.
The fellows will be able to attend conferences, seminars, monitoring activities, workshops and recreational activities held by HCA Vanadzor as well as to meet the representatives of international entities and organisations and to learn about the activities of other non-governmental organisations in Armenia.
The fellowship will be implemented in Vanadzor, Armenia.
PROPOSED TIME FOR THE FELLOWSHIP
The research is intended to cover from 4 to 6 months, preferably from October 2017-March 2018.