Dear Sir/Madam,

We would like to invite you to participate on the panel within the framework of the implementation of the project « Access to justice (Justice for all) » that will take place on Monday, 4th February 2013 from 13 :00 in the House of Human Rights and Democracy, KnezaMiloša 4, Belgrade.

The panel’s topic will address the possibilities of advancing the system of free legal aid and bringing it closer to citizens, i.e. securing the access to justice for all, in particular for marginalized groups and vulnerable social categories.

The unenviable social situation of a significant number of citizens and of complete social categories, for various reasons, as well as the change of the judicial network in Serbia, which resulted into a more difficult access to courts for certain regions and parts of the population, highlight the necessity of paying more attention to this question.

Bearing in mind that research findings have revealed that the absence of information and awareness about institutions and organizations that grant free legal aid are the main cause of their not being used, we consider that public affirmation and awareness raising about free legal aid are of critical importance for advancing equality before justice and the rule of law in the country.

This panel forms part of the public debate on the Draft law on free legal aid which should regulate the matter in the most exhaustive way but also recognize the role of civil society organizations in the system of free legal aid.

 

YUCOM – Lawyers’ Committee for Human Rights and SeConS – Development Initiative Group, under the sponsorship of USAIDand the Institute for sustainable communities implement the project aiming at formulating a strategy to reform the free legal aid system. This strategy will be based on the analysis of perceptions concerning the possibilities of access to justice and the role of free legal aid among citizens, on one hand, and on the analysis of capacities for legal aid granting, on the other hand.  The conclusions will provide a basis upon which training and seminars will be organized on the theme of free legal aid granting. The project aims at mapping existing institutional practices, the legislative framework, access to justice, advocating for advancing the system of free legal aid and participation of civil society organizations, with an aim to improve the efficiencyand fairness of the judicial system in Serbia.

If you are interested to participate in the tribune, please inform us about your participation by email at the address office@yucom.org.rs or by telephone: +381 (0)11 33 444 25.

Please find enclosed the program of the tribune.

 

Milan Antonijević, director                                                                        OliveraVuković, director

YUCOM                                                                                                                         SeConS

 

 

AGENDA OF THE TRIBUNE

Access to Justice (Justice for all)

4^th February 2013

House of Human Rights and Democracy

KnezaMiloša 4, Belgrade

13:00 – 13:10

Presentation of the research findings: Problems in access to justice and perception of Serbian citizens about free legal aid

Dr. DaniloVuković, SeConS

13:10 – 13:30Discussion

13:30 – 13:40Experience of and challenges for the municipal services pertaining to free legal aid

Leila Ruždić Trifunović, ZvezdaraMunicipality

13 :40 – 14 :00Discussion

14 :00 – 14 :10Experience of and challenges for the civil society sector pertaining to free legal aid granting

Milan Antonijević, director of YUCOM

14:10 – 14:30Discussion

Cocktail