How has the LPBR Programme improved access to justice?
The LPBR Programme is supporting efforts to improve the welfare of the most vulnerable and poor communities in Kigali, Rwanda in two ways. Firstly, through strengthening the capacity of Legal Aid Forum Rwanda (LAF) to increase access to legal aid for economically disadvantaged residents of Kigali. Secondly, through promoting a pro bono culture amongst the legal community in Rwanda.
With the partnership beginning in June 2021, LPBR has been able to improve access to justice in supporting a legal advice hotline, hosting University Legal Aid Clinics, and assisting community service organisations (CSOs) to capacity-build.
The toll-free legal advice hotline provides automated legal aid education to callers, refers callers on to LAF for tailored advice, and, in critical cases, leads to representation of those most vulnerable. Since being established, there have been well over one million calls to the hotline, with the figures growing every month.
One woman, who received crucial legal representation in a divorce custody battle, reflected –
I honestly had no hope that anyone would listen to me unless I paid them. Yet I had no money to defend myself at all. I was about to lose everything, including my children.
It was the assistance provided by the LAF that enabled this mother to retain custody of her children and receive court-mandated financial support from their father after the divorce.
I can only thank God for what LAF did for me. The lawyers were very intelligent, and they treated me with respect. May God bless them.
The University Legal Clinics have successfully instilled a culture of pro bono legal aid among students. Students committed to assisting in delivering legal aid in partnership with local CSOs, which will greatly improve access to justice in Rwanda.
Moreover, the Programme continues to build in scoping the needs of more local CSOs in the Kigali area. By fulfilling these needs, LPBR will be able to support the CSOs to continue to deliver critical support to those who need it most.
To enquire about the Programme, contact the A4ID Africa team.
