The roundtable will be held on Tuesday, April 17, 2012, starting at 11:00 AM, at the Hotel Hollywood Ilidža Sarajevo.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is undoubtedly in the final stages of post-war reconstruction and transformation into a modern democratic society that must ensure the highest level of human rights protection for all its citizens in accordance with international standards and norms. In view of the current political and economic problems and the lack of uniform mechanisms for providing free legal aid throughout the country, it becomes necessary to ensure impartial and equal access to rights through state-independent legal aid services. Establishing minimum standards and strengthening the capacity of legal aid providers is also one of the strategic goals of the Justice Sector Reform Strategy 2008 – 2013.
Bosnia and Herzegovina, at the state level, has not yet adopted the Law on Free Legal Aid. Laws regulating access to free legal aid have only been adopted in Republika Srpska and in some cantons of the Federation of BiH. Their application and effects are limited to a certain territory and to certain legal procedures, and the realization of the right to free legal aid to citizens of poor financial status is further conditioned by the fulfillment of certain conditions.
As Vaša prava BiH has had experience in providing free legal aid so far, the organizers intend to open a professional discussion regarding the adoption of the Law on Free Legal Aid, the adoption of which would provide effective and efficient access to justice for vulnerable categories of population.
We are therefore pleased to invite you to participate in this session. Please confirm your participation at 033/789-105 or email dinoa@vasaprava.org and draganv@vasaprava.org.
You can download the roundtable invitation, agenda and introductory material here:
