ILAC’s program - Training of Tunisian Judges - targets the Tunisian judiciary and aims to raise the knowledge of international law and contribute to higher self-confidence to maintain the judiciary’s independence against outside pressure. The baseline study focused on the individual level of independence and knowledge of international human rights standards amongst judges and the institutional capacity of the judiciary in Tunisia.  

The framework for the baseline study outlined criteria, indicators and questions capturing the level of knowledge of applicable international laws and legal safeguards concerning due process and fair trial; as well as the meaning and consequences of the independence of the judiciary. The baseline study explored issues of independence of the judges in both urban and rural areas.

The baseline study was followed by a mid-term review in the spring of 2014. The review ascertained results and assessed the effectiveness, efficiency, relevance of ILAC’s intervention. It sought to draw lessons from the implementation and management of the trainings and enable ILAC to adjust, internalize and institutionalize lessons learned beyond the Tunisian training program. The review served primarily as an input to ILAC’s management team and partners of the Tunisian training program.

The mid-term review was carried out after the program had completed its first milestone to train approximately 900 Tunisian judges from different governorates across Tunisia. The first trainings were offered in late March 2012. The trainings have been implemented by ILAC’s partners Central and Eastern European Law Initiative (CEELI) Institute and the International Bar Association (IBAHRI). ILAC is the contract holder, coordinator and administrator of the program. Sida has financed the program.