DRL Accountability Measure Effectiveness

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for a research project that supports the following goal: Contribute to building a portfolio of evidence to further identify democracy and rights program strategies that are effective, in an effort to improve program relevance and impact. Background DRL works to promote accountability as a vehicle for addressing human rights violations. In particular we work to strengthen criminal accountability and access to justice in the pursuit of combatting impunity and bolstering the rule of law. Examples of DRL programs which meet these aims include those centered around documentation, capacity building and systematic transformations. This particular project will focus on the breadth of measures through which those responsible for human rights abuses and violations can be held accountable. Furthermore, the definition of being held accountable differs between contexts and parties to human rights abuses. The purpose of the project is to determine measures which can be utilized to improve relevant DRL programs in line with strategic goals and values. There is no regional or country specific focus. The project should meet the following objective: Produce findings on what accountability measures are most effective in holding those responsible for human rights abuses and violations accountable for human rights abuses and violations relevant to DRL programming and related diplomatic engagement. The final tangible products of this research project should be communications products, based on the research findings, which can be easily utilized by Program Officers to improve DRL programming.