UNDP, the United Nations Development ACCESS TO JUSTICE PROJECT Programme, partners with people at all levels of AT A GLANCE society to help build nations that can withstand U N crisis and drive and sustain growth that improves Duration: 2013–2016 D P the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in (Inception Phase 2013) 177 countries and territories, UNDP offers global Empowered lives. Donor: Swiss Agency for Resilient nations. perspective and local insight to help empower Development and lives and build resilient nations. In , UNDP has six offices in , Shartuz, Cooperation (SDC) Kulyab, Ayni, Gharm and Khujand. UNDP's Implementers: UNDP and HELVETAS programme represents a broad spectrum of Swiss Intercooperation in ACCESS TO JUSTICE activities, within five practice areas: Tajikistan 1. Poverty Reduction Partners: PO “INIS” (Dushanbe, PROJECT 2. Reducing the Burdens of HIV/AIDS, Malaria Khujand, Kurgantube, and Tuberculosis Kulyab) 3. Good Governance PO “Human Rights Center” 4. Crisis Prevention and Recovery (Dushanbe, Khujand, ) 5. Energy and Environment PO “League of Women (Sources: undp.tj; undp.org) Lawyers” (Dushanbe, Khujand) HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation is one of PO "Bureau on Human Rights the largest development organisations in and Rule of Law” (Dushanbe, Switzerland. It came into existence in July 2011 Kurgantube, Kulyab, Ayni, with the merger of two organisations: Helvetas Khorog) (founded 1955) and Intercooperation (founded PO “Madadgor” () 1982). As a politically and denominationally One Independent lawyer neutral association, HELVETAS Swiss (Kabodiyon) Intercooperation is supported by over 100,000 Ombudsman's office (Rasht, members and sponsors, as well as 12 regional Tursunzade) groups of volunteers in Switzerland. It works in Beneficiaries: Vulnerable and marginalized over 30 partner countries in Africa, Asia, Latin people, especially in remote America and Eastern Europe. HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation programmes focus on rural areas, and in particular women development and include five practice areas: For more information, please contact: 1. Water and Infrastructure UNDP Office 2. Rural Economy Dushanbe 3. Environment and Climate Change 39 Aini Street 4. Education and Skills Development Tel: 992 44 600 55 96/97 5. Governance and Peace Email: [email protected] TAJIKISTAN The Branch of the Association HELVETAS HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation Swiss Intercooperation in the Republic of Dushanbe Tajikistan was established in 2009. It focuses on Bukhoro str 2-a, rural development in three working areas: Rural Tel: 992 37 221 52 42, 221 35 07 Economy, Governance and Peace and Water and Infrastructure and implements the Khujand following projects: 1. Access to Justice Kamoli Khujandi str 153, 2. Local Market Development 3. Organic Value Chain Development Email: [email protected] Swiss Confederation 4. National Water Resources Management www.helvetas.org Конфедератсияи Швейтсария http://www.tajikistan.helvetas.org General objectives Achievements in 2013

The Access to Justice (A2J) Project aims at increasing • 4346 free legal consultations were provided in 13 the legal literacy of the population, provides legal Legal Aid Centers in the regions of Dushanbe, services, facilitates rule of law policy dialogue and Khatlon, Soghd, GBAO and RRS. builds the capacities of civil society and government • 22,810 participants (61% women) took part in 9 4 2 institutions under the Ministry of Justice. legal awareness and information sessions provided by PO “INIS.” • 468 students in five schools participated in legal training provided by PO “INIS.” • A legal infotainment campaign “Love is…” was launched through social media www.muhabbatin.tj, aired on three TV stations, a cartoon and a rap song were produced.

Project outcomes

1. Legal awareness raising fosters legal protection of marginalized groups and individuals (> 70% women). 2. Legal aid services provide better access to legal protection for marginalized groups and individuals (> 70% women). 3. Effective and responsive government services provide legal information and support to marginalized groups and individuals. • 36 interactive radio shows were aired by radio stations Sadoi Dushanbe. 4 Key challenges in Access to Justice / Rule of Law • 36 legal articles were printed in two Project approaches are raised in a policy dialogue with government authorities and other stakeholders. newspapers with national coverage, Charkhi Gardun and Muhabbat va Oila. The project works through the Ministry of Justice, the • 20,500 brochures on family (14,500) and Ombudsman office, local non-government inheritance (6000) rights were distributed. organisations, and independent lawyers and finances 13 7000 legal aid directories were distributed. Legal Aid Centers country-wide. The Legal Aid Centers • provide consultations and representation in court. • 22 paralegals were selected by their mahalla The project raises legal literacy and awareness through committees and underwent a 6 days training. legal infotainment campaigns on TV, radio, written and • 113 citizens applied to community paralegals social media and organizes legal information meetings between September – November 2013. in communities in collaboration with the local First meeting of Rule of Law State Institutions was authorities. A network of community paralegals organized to discuss and define the model of provides first hand legal information to their platform within which the dialogue with Civil community members. Society Organisations will take place. Key challenges and gaps in legal practice are used for 100 staff of registration offices (ZAGS), notary evidence-based policy dialogue. Capacity building and offices and Jamoats have passed pilot trainings on training of civil registry and local authorities are better provision of public services. provided by the project.