that underlies the lack of rule-of-law development in many will continue to promote structural reform of penal systems. countries in the CIS. Through its Rule of Law programme, The Rule of Law Unit also plans to integrate anti-torture the Unit supports projects that increase legal awareness work throughout its projects with a particular focus on tor- among the population and help them to defend their rights. ture prevention in the stage of pre-trial detention. These projects range from assistance to ombudsman institutions to working with law students. Through its Fair Trials programme, the ODIHR plans to take a variety of approaches, including training and technical assis- In a number of countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus, tance, which will be specifically developed considering the the ODIHR has provided advice on strengthening the legal particular circumstances and needs in each country. In many basis of ombudsman institutions. Furthermore, it has facili- countries, one focus of the Fair Trials programme will be on tated contacts between ombudsman offices and has offered training defence lawyers. Where appropriate, this pro- assistance to improve their management to make them gramme will focus on providing assistance to the judiciary or more effective and vocal. to prosecutors. In all instances, the approach taken will be specific to the country and to improving and enhancing ac- During the past year, the ODIHR provided direct support and cess to fair trials. Improving access to fair trials has a poten- technical assistance to developing legal clinics. Legal clinics tial multiplier effect far outside the legal community, as citi- give law students an opportunity to gain practical experience zens will gain greater confidence in their legal system and, by adding a clearly practical dimension to their studies: They by extension, their laws. At the political level, the ODIHR will handle legal cases under the supervision of a lawyer. At the continue to support legal and structural reforms that in- same time, people who could otherwise not afford it gain crease access to professional legal assistance. Information access to legal consultation. Through a second “streetlaw” gathered through trial-monitoring programmes is expected clinic, students gain deeper, practical insights through legal- to help shape the development of future assistance projects literacy programmes conducted at schools, prisons, etc., and under the Fair Trials programme. simultaneously help pupils, prisoners, and others understand their rights. The ODIHR supports legal clinics in Tajikistan, The Rule of Law programme aims to assist in bringing a cul- Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan (see box on p. 27). ture of rule of law to the countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus. Through civic-education and legal-literacy projects and strengthening national human rights institutions, people Future priorities learn about their rights and change their attitude towards law. This can have potentially far-reaching results, as people The Rule of Law Unit will continue to provide support to its demand change in their lives and changes in how state au- governmental and non-governmental partners in the three thorities treat them. areas described in this section. Through its Criminal Justice programme, the ODIHR plans to assist in the ongoing reform of criminal-justice systems by working with lawyers, judges, prosecutors, and prison professionals. It envisages increasing implementation of alternative sentencing, thereby aiming to reduce prison populations in all countries. Furthermore, the programme expects to successfully promote restorative justice systems with the same benefits. In addition, the Criminal Justice programme 22