The Ministry of Justice with the United Nations Development Programme or UNDP support is hosting a three-day legal aid consultative dialogue in Juba.
The dialogue aimed at strengthening the capacity of rule of law institutions, increase equitable access to justice; promote law and order, accountable and transparent statutory and customary law institutions.
UNDP Country Director Balazs Horvath in his opening remarks on Wednesday said the workshop symbolized the determination and resilience of the government to continue with nation building.
He commented the government’s efforts to provide legal aid for poor persons indicating a desire to translate constitutional norms into reality.
Justice Undersecretary Jeremiah Swaka said legal aid was the constitutional right of citizens and it was the ministry’s duty to provide legal aid.
The dialogue identified principles and time lines for drafting and enacting Legal Aid Act; validating draft Legal Aid Forms; determining options for remunerating private advocates to provide legal aid services.
It drew participants from the Judiciary of South Sudan, the South Sudan National Police Service, National Prisons Service, South Sudan Transitional Bar Association, civil society and the international community.