The goal of the Legal Services Division is to enhance the fair and quick dispensation of justice and aims at making effective use of the law to promote and protect human rights in Uganda. It focuses on improving the workings of the justice system in Uganda, especially in the judiciary; ensuring that Ugandans are well equipped with adequate information and are aware of the avenues through which justice can be accessed; and promoting awareness of state obligations, rights and duties of citizens in the enjoyment of these rights. It is envisaged that, as an end result, there will be an improved awareness of human rights standards and possible avenues available in accessing justice by the Ugandan populous.
The Legal Services Division builds on the work of the preceding programmes where FHRI, under its Access to Justice and Legal Resources Projects in partnership with the Judiciary and other stakeholders, held discussions that centred on the overbearing challenge of accessing justice by ordinary people and eradicating corruption within the judiciary.
The Legal Services Division has three major activity areas that include:
- Pro bono Legal Assistance to women and children;
- Criminal Legal Defense (assistance to victims of torture, representation of death row inmates, paralegal advisory services);
- Public Interest Litigation / Legislative Advocacy.
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