The morning began with a session of qigong, hosted by Heim Center curator Eduardo Von Fellenberg, to focus and direct the fellows on the last day of the Summit. Much of the day was intended to aid the fellows in learning about the logistical aspects of IBJ, namely country evaluation, monitoring reports, and the importance of keeping accurate accounting records to secure long-term funders. Before heading off the International Red Cross Museum and the United Nations to celebrate the end of the summit and see some of the sights of Geneva, the Summit closed with a final feedback and brainstorming session, addressing both the challenges faced going forward and the lessons learned from the week.The common thread was the challenge faced by securing sufficient amounts of funds for criminal defense projects in each of the fellow’s countries. Picking up on the tools learned in the fundraising session, led by Pam Calhoun earlier in the week, Rwandan fellow John Bosco Bugingo brainstormed ideas on how to locally fundraise, suggesting the possibility of holding a ‘Give a Dollar for Justice’ radio spot on the local radio programs, whereby the majority of citizens in Rwanda will learn the message of IBJ and give. Burundian fellow Astère Muyango liked this idea, highlighting the importance of the radio in both fundraising and getting out the message of legal rights.The last fellow to speak was Ajay Verma, who commented on his pride in creating a ‘fellow task force,’ comprised of the six fellows present at the Summit this week.  Because of this week, Verma noted, the fellows were able to appreciate and fully understand the challenges, both alike and dissimilar amongst, of their colleagues around the world. With wide support, Verma suggested that the fellows act as a global support group to one another, continuing to be in touch with one another to discuss problems or challenges faced as they soldier on in the name of criminal justice.(Staff and Fellows listen intently to presentations on the last day of the First Annual Fellows Summit held in Geneva)

After a successful Gala held in Bern on Saturday, today marks the start of the First Annual IBJ Fellow Summit, being held all week at the Heim Center in Geneva. After gathering the fellows and highlighting the main aims and goals of the Summit, the fellows each gave a presentation on their respective countries, highlighting the main problems faced, visions for the future, and suggestions on how to go about implementing change. While each fellow highlighted different problems, certain themes cut across cultures.

 

During the presentation, Indian fellow Ajay Verma quoted the Chief Justice of India, who stated that, while victims are the popular focus of criminal lawyers, the accused, many times are the victims themselves. The idea behind this statement is that, because of the highly prevalent rates of torture and coerced confessions in all of the countries the fellows are from, the general presumption that one is innocent until proven guilty falls by the wayside when one is accused. This reality, combined with over-populated prisons, a lack of lawyers willing to take on criminal defense cases, and institutionalized practices of torture in criminal investigations, all fellows seemed to generally agree that there was much room for reform in their respective countries.

 

While these fellows have only known each other, in most cases, for a very short amount of time, the common bond and vision of change and criminal defense reform certainly was the underlying theme of the day. As each presenter finished their presentations, the other fellows asked directed questions about their colleagues’ legal systems. The questions presented were clear indications that the fellows were intently listening to compare and contrast one another’s legal systems and challenges. What was most interesting about the questions asked was the commonality and understanding that cut across the countries.

 

While John Bosco Bugingo remarked that criminal defense cases were simply not willing to be taken on by attorneys because of the lack of money in this area of law, the rest of the fellows nodded enthusiastically, indicating that this problem ran across all systems they work in. What was also striking was the day to day difficulties criminal defense lawyers face. Many fellows remarked on the lack of Bar Association funding for pro bono defense cases, along with the apprehension of judges and police officers towards allowing the accused access to criminal defense attorneys.

 

Despite the difficulties faced, all of the fellows remain hopeful. As Karen Tse remarked at the opening of the day, the underlying theory of IBJ is that individuals can change the world, aided by the power and support of the community . As the fellows come together this week, this power is realized as communities, both global and local, come together in the name of criminal justice.  (The IBJ team - including our six country fellows - is pictured below.)