One of the objectives of EUROsociAL is to open spaces for dialogue and meeting places for Latin American public institutions that will allow them to work together, regionally, in analysing the best American and European experiences to then apply the results at a national level and produce results that contribute to improving people's living conditions.

To achieve this, EUROsociAL supports the efforts of the Latin American regional judicial networks to jointly construct benchmark instruments that establish and/or consolidate best practices in the region.

Working with Latin American public defender's offices (Inter-American Association of Public Defender's Offices), it has supported the creation of a Regional Guide that orients and standardises how public defenders work with incarcerated persons. That defines, for example, best practices for prison visits. Or the protocols to be followed to verify overall compliance with human rights in penitentiary centres.

Collaborating with the region's Public Prosecutor's Offices (AIDEF) and with the Ministries of Justice (Conference of Ministries of Justice of Ibero-American Countries), supporting the creation of protocols to be used by prosecutors in the investigation of crimes against women or by the institutions that exist to protect and support the victims.

The regional documents are the result of the joint work of all of them.  They are approved by consensus by the most senior representatives of the institutions. This gives them enormous legitimacy and authority, which helps to drive their implementation nationally, with them acting as catalysts for national reform and modernisation projects.

Then, EUROsociAL supports and provides technical assistance to the Public Defender's Offices, Prosecutor's Offices, Ministries of Justice, to implement the aforementioned instruments nationally. For example, by supporting the creation of Public Defender's Offices for Criminal Enforcement, or by strengthening the investigative capacities of Prosecutor's Offices, or by improving the cooperation mechanisms between them.

Definitively strengthening Latin American judicial institutions to improve people's access to justice and the capacities of institutions to better protect citizens' human rights.

AIDEF ACTION

Regional Guide to Public Defence and the Comprehensive Protection of Incarcerated Persons.

Its objective is to improve access to justice for incarcerated persons. The Regional Guide consolidates and standardises best practices in the region, turning Official Public Defender's Offices into key institutional stakeholders in the promotion and defence of the rights of the incarcerated.

GENDER VIOLENCE ACTION

Investigation protocol for prosecutors

This provides Public Prosecutor's Offices with action principles, tools and procedures for fighting gender violence and guaranteeing protection and compensation of victims.

Comprehensive protocol for attending to victims

This establishes common lines workflow of attention and assistance to victims.

Coordination protocol

This defines coordination mechanisms among competent institutions in the area of investigation and attention to victims.

José de la Mata