(monitoring of places of detention, legal aid, support to rehabilitation of prisoners, etc.) and that joint inspections of penitentiaries are being conducted (there were 50,000 such joint visits during the reporting period).215 Russian Federation: Example of a Joint Campaign between NGOs and Government216 Defenders carry out several activities in the penitentiary system, such as monitoring places of detention, providing legal aid, and supporting the rehabilitation of prisoners. As an example, a project called “ A week of visits to pre-trial detention” was carried out in 22 countries in October 2007, including several regions of the Russian Federation, and resulted in assessments of places of detention by joint governmentNGO groups. This activity was notably initiated by the human rights commissioner of the Russian Federation. The project assessed, in particular, material conditions of detention and work, as well as the regional law enforcement bodies’ relationships with citizens. Good practices regarding listening to, and addressing the concerns of, human rights defenders: • • • • • • • • 215 216 Setting up standing mechanisms for dialogue with defenders; Adopting a government strategy for co-operation with defenders; Ensuring consultation with NGOs in the legislative process; Involving defenders in the drafting of rules affecting them; Involving defenders in the drafting of periodic reports to UN treaty-monitoring bodies; Involving defenders in the work of NHRIs and ombudsman institutions; Involving NHRIs and ombudsman institutions in the legislative process; Taking part in joint campaigns with defenders. Russia’ s response to ODIHR’ s questionnaire, 9 July 2008. Ibid. 48