The evaluation report, which covers the period from 2022 to 2023, examines some of the projects the NCHR is implementing together with local partners in Brazil, China, and Indonesia, focusing on investigative interviewing, human rights education, gender equality, and religious freedom.
Local impact in Brazil, China and Indonesia
The review findings highlight the transformative impact of the NCHR's project on investigative interviewing in Brazil. The introduction of investigative interviewing techniques has been met with initial scepticism but has ultimately gained acceptance and resulted in systemic reforms across multiple police regions. The report shows that NCHR’s project aligns with international human rights standards and addresses the pressing need for ethical interrogation methods in Brazil. Training programs have been successful, leading to improvements in interrogation practices and a reduced reliance on coercive methods in police investigations across Brazil:
“By setting a precedent for the integration of scholarly research with practical law enforcement applications, [the project] is helping to transform Brazilian police work into a more scientifically informed and ethically responsible profession. These initiatives not only enhance the operational effectiveness of police officers but also foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the Brazilian law enforcement community”.
The report further emphasizes that “(...) NCHR’s efforts ensure that gender sensitivity is not treated as an isolated topic but is woven throughout the training and e-learning modules, fortifying the approach against cultural and gender-based prejudices. This comprehensive strategy marks a pivotal step in transforming law enforcement practices, illustrating the impact of education and research in advancing the field and enhancing the roles of competence and gender inclusivity in policing.
In China, the NCHR has contributed to addressing critical gaps in human rights education and align with the current needs of Chinese academic institutions in human rights education, women's rights, and business and human rights. According to the report, the various initiatives in China have resulted in the development of new courses, publications, and increased awareness and understanding of human rights among both students and academic scholars, and as such, has impacted the educational landscape.
The report assesses that “NCHR’s ongoing efforts and strategic adjustments in response to evolving challenges highlight its sustained commitment to enhancing human rights discourse in China through education, collaboration, and dialogue. The NCHR’s initiatives have been particularly effective in maintaining partnerships with Chinese academic institutions”.
On the integration of gender into the NCHR’s programming the report states that:
"[NCHR] has been a conscious effort, reflected in the balanced participation of genders in training and the inclusion of gender-related topics in curricula. This approach not only supports the goal of gender equality within the workshops but also influences the broader academic community by modelling inclusive practices. The emphasis on having a gender-balanced array of speakers and participants highlighted ongoing challenges in engaging male scholars in gender studies, suggesting a need for continued efforts to attract diverse participants”.
NCHR's partnership with Islamic institutions in Indonesia has, according to the independent evaluation, been instrumental in promoting human rights, gender equality, and religious freedom. Through educational programs targeting local religious officials and preachers, the project effectively bridges the gap between traditional religious perspectives and modern human rights principles. This makes it, according to the report, highly relevant in the Indonesian context:
“The project has demonstrated a strong ability to integrate human rights and gender equality into Islamic teachings, making it highly relevant in the Indonesian context where religious perspectives are integral to societal norms. The project addressed critical human rights issues in Indonesia, particularly in enhancing the understanding and advocacy of religious freedom and gender equality among [the target group]. This approach helps in bridging the gap between traditional religious perspectives and modern human rights principles, making it particularly pertinent in the Indonesian context”.
The report further states that “The project has successfully leveraged religious teachings and officials to promote a nuanced understanding of human rights and gender equality, integrating these concepts into Islamic discourse and practice in Indonesia. Religious officials have been effectively engaged as catalysts for disseminating human rights and gender equality principles through community education. They serve as crucial intermediaries between government policies and grassroots communities.”
Recommendations
The report also highlights concrete steps to refine the NCHR’s work on monitoring, evaluating and adjusting activities in various contexts to ensure focus on results and strategic decision-making at the organizational level.
Overall, the review concludes that the NCHR's projects have been highly relevant and effective in promoting human rights education and training. These initiatives have resulted in significant improvements in local practices, policy changes, and increased awareness and understanding of human rights and gender equality in Brazil, China, and Indonesia.