Access to Justice Survey launched to bridge the gap on legal needs

Monday, July 19th, 2010

An Access to Justice Survey was launched today to provide the Government of Maldives, the judiciary and other justice sector institutions, with information and analysis to strengthen the justice sector.  This survey, the first of its kind, is supported by UNDP, and will be conducted in Malé and all atolls.

The survey will gather information on people’s perceptions of the legal system in the country, and identify obstacles in equal access to justice.  It will look at the challenges faced by legal service providers, and the implications to the delivery of justice services. Recommendations for policy formulation and the strengthening of the justice processes and systems in the country will also be made.

Highlighting that access to justice is a key component of human development, UNDP’s Resident Representative, Mr. Andrew Cox, said that“there is little point to having a well resourced justice system if people can’t use it, or if they are given reason not to trust it.” Mr. Cox emphasized that the project will focus particularly on meeting the needs of the poor, marginalized and disadvantaged by strengthening the institutional capacities of the justice sector.  “I hope that all those approached by the surveyors will give their full and frank opinion.  This is a confidential survey that will have a direct impact on how the justice system develops,” he added.

Strengthening governance and the Rule of Law have been recognized by the Government as central to implementing its Strategic Action Plan, and achieving MDGs by 2015.

The survey is a key component of the Human Rights and Access to Justice Project signed by UNDP in 2008.  UNDP’s support to the justice system in the Maldives is at the centre of our global and local mandate to eradicate poverty and to advance human development.

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