The Council of Ministers granted five million South Sudanese Pounds for a legal aid fund to allow people without means to contract lawyers to defend them in court.
Government spokesperson Barnaba Marial Benjamin said at the end of Friday’s ordinary council of ministers that the cabinet approved a pilot project to assist those involved in very serious crimes without money to defend themselves.The Cabinet approved five million Pounds to start the Legal Aid Fund under the Ministry of Justice.
Dr Marial said the fund also will be used by the Ministry of Justice to train legal staff and conduct information campaigns about citizens’ legal rights.
He added that the Legal Aid Fund establishment was a very important development in a democratic society and it would grow into an independent body.
The Council of Ministers also approved the Strategic Plan for 2013-2018 for the Gender, Child and Social Welfare ministry presented by deputy minister Priscilla Nyannyang Joseph.