Strengthening Afghanistan’s Legal Aid System
(
Government
)
#SDGAction43475
Description
This effort will accelerate progress towards realizing Sustainable Development Goal 16. It will advance implementation of Afghanistan’s 2019 Legal Aid Regulation by establishing a Legal Aid High Commission and Secretariat to ensure provision of effective, quality criminal defense services for poor and vulnerable people, and by building the capacity of the Ministry of Justice Legal Aid Department. The acceleration action will take place over a time period of three years, from 2019 to 2022, with beneficiaries across Afghanistan.
Objectives:
1. Support the Effective Establishment of Afghanistan’s New Legal Aid System
2. Build the Capacity of the MOJ Legal Aid Department to Provide Quality Legal Aid Services
3. Expand the Provision of Legal Aid in Provinces throughout Afghanistan
Partner Commitments:
The MOJ is the government agency responsible for the administration of justice in Afghanistan. The MOJ’s vision is implementation of the Rule of Law and equal access to justice for all. The Ministry plays a substantial role in provision of legal aid services to poor and vulnerable persons in Afghanistan, and it will commit leadership, human resources, facilities, and administrative support to facilitate the development of a comprehensive legal aid system that is accessible, effective, sustainable, and credible. For more information, visit https://moj.gov.af/en.
The ILF is a nonprofit organization that provides quality criminal defense services and builds sustainable, effective legal aid institutions around the world. A leading global advocate for the right to counsel, the ILF has over 15 years of experience delivering legal aid in Afghanistan and provides technical assistance worldwide. It will provide technical assistance and secure funding to advance this project. For more information, visit www.theilf.org.
Implementation Methodologies:
Implementation will include: curriculum, resource development; policy advice and development; needs assessments; training workshops; feedback and evaluation; recruitment and staffing.
Specific Activities:
1. Support the Effective Establishment of Afghanistan’s New Legal Aid System
A. Bolster the Legal Aid High Commission and Secretariat
B. Hold a national consultation on reforms to Afghanistan’s legal aid system
C. Draft a new National Legal Aid Strategy
2. Build the Capacity of the MOJ Legal Aid Department to Provide Quality Legal Aid
A. Establish a Training Unit
B. Establish a Monitoring and Evaluation Unit
C. Build the capacity of Legal Aid Department lawyers
3. Expand the Provision of Legal Aid in Provinces throughout Afghanistan
A. Establish a formal case referral mechanism between the MOJ and ILF
B. Embed ILF Afghanistan lawyers in MOJ legal aid offices around the country
Follow-up Mechanisms and Governance:
• Base-line surveys and an annual review of MOJ Legal Aid Department staff will be used to measure the Training Unit’s impact and progress.
• The Legal Aid Department Monitoring and Evaluation Unit will track the quality of legal aid provided.
This effort will yield a comprehensive legal aid system that is accessible, effective, sustainable and credible – strengthening institutions and closing the justice gap for poor communities across Afghanistan. Collaboration between the Ministry of Justice of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (MOJ) and the International Legal Foundation (ILF) will accelerate progress towards realizing Sustainable Development Goal 16. This collaboration will advance implementation of Afghanistan’s 2019 Legal Aid Regulation through technical and financial support for the Legal Aid High Commission and Secretariat, as well as building the capacity of the Ministry of Justice Legal Aid Department, in order to ensure provision of effective, quality criminal defense services for poor and vulnerable people. Together, the MOJ and ILF will develop a legal aid system that is tailored to the needs of each locality and ensure the provision of quality legal aid services nationwide. This effort will expand access to legal aid for indigent or vulnerable people who are detained, arrested, suspected of, or charged with a criminal offence across Afghanistan.
International Legal Foundation (non-governmental organization)
SDGS & Targets
Goal 16
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
16.1
Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
16.1.1
16.1.2
16.1.3
Proportion of population subjected to (a) physical violence, (b) psychological violence and/or (c) sexual violence in the previous 12 months
16.1.4
Proportion of population that feel safe walking alone around the area they live after dark
16.2
End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children
16.2.1
Proportion of children aged 1–17 years who experienced any physical punishment and/or psychological aggression by caregivers in the past month
16.2.2
16.2.3
Proportion of young women and men aged 18–29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18
16.3
Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
16.3.1
Proportion of victims of (a) physical, (b) psychological and/or (c) sexual violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms
16.3.2
16.3.3
Proportion of the population who have experienced a dispute in the past two years and who accessed a formal or informal dispute resolution mechanism, by type of mechanism
16.4
By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime
16.4.1
16.4.2
16.5
Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms
16.5.1
16.5.2
16.6
Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels
16.6.1
16.6.2
Proportion of population satisfied with their last experience of public services
16.7
Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels
16.7.1
Proportions of positions in national and local institutions, including (a) the legislatures; (b) the public service; and (c) the judiciary, compared to national distributions, by sex, age, persons with disabilities and population groups
16.7.2
16.8
Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance
16.8.1
Proportion of members and voting rights of developing countries in international organizations
16.9
By 2030, provide legal identity for all, including birth registration
16.9.1
16.10
Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements
16.10.1
16.10.2
16.a
Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime
16.a.1
16.b
Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development
16.b.1
SDG 14 targets covered
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- Asia and Pacific
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Contact Information
Ezmarai Osmany, Director of External Relations, Ministry of Justice of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan