ASF in action
ASF Programmes Field Offices PublicationsASF Programmes
Access to Justice
In most developed countries, access to justice is facilitated by a system of legal aid subsidised by the government. However, in the countries where ASF works these systems are lacking, and their absence limits the free access of vulnerable persons to the courts… Continue reading
International Justice
The goal of the International Justice Programme is to contribute to the protection of human rights, access to justice, and the re-establishment of the dignity of victims, through the effective deterrence of human rights violations and promotion of international norms and standards. Continue reading
Economic and Social Rights
“The ideal of free human beings enjoying freedom from fear and want can only be achieved if conditions are created whereby everyone may enjoy his economic, social and cultural rights, as well as his civil and political rights…” Continue reading
Civil and political rights
ASF uses the law as a tool to enable all persons to enjoy their civil and political rights, assisting those people whose rights have been violated, and working to ensure the universal recognition and sustainable implementation of these rights. Continue reading
Emblematic Cases
The law, which lies at the heart of the work of Avocats Sans Frontières, has never played such a great role as it does today, not only as a means of regulation of collective and individual human relations, but also and most importantly in ensuring the triumph and genuine recognition of human rights. Continue reading
Article 16, Lawyers in Danger
Each year, dozens of lawyers around the world are targeted by various powers. ASF has set up a support and solidarity program in order to help these dedicated lawyers. Continue reading
Field Offices
ASF in Burundi
Area: 27,834 km2 (0.9 times the size of Belgium)
8.5 million inhabitants
Number of lawyers: 170, or 1 lawyer per 50,000 inhabitants (in Belgium: 1 lawyer per 666 inhabitants)
100% of lawyers are based in towns and cities
ASF in Israel and Palestine
“When they [Israeli Defense Forces] came to evict us, it looked like a war zone. It was four o’clock in the morning. Within the hour, the settlers were occupying our house and using our belongings”.
Palestinian woman
ASF in Nepal
Area: 147,181 km² (4.8 times the size of Belgium)
30.5 million inhabitants
Number of lawyers: 13,000, or 1 lawyer per 2,345 inhabitants (in Belgium: 1 lawyer per 666 inhabitants)
ASF in Uganda
Area: 236,040 km2 (7.7 times the size of Belgium)
34.5 million inhabitants
Number of lawyers: 2,000, or 1 lawyer per 17,250 inhabitants (in Belgium: 1 lawyer per 666 inhabitants)
100% of lawyers are based in towns and cities
ASF in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Area: 2,345,409 km² (76 times the size of Belgium)
67 million inhabitants
Number of lawyers: 6,000, or 1 lawyer per 11,166 inhabitants (in Belgium: 1 lawyer per 666 inhabitants)
The vast majority of lawyers are based in towns and cities
ASF in Rwanda
Area: 26.338 km² (0,86 times the size of Belgium)
11 million inhabitants
1 lawyer for 33,900 inhabitants, 50 times less than in Belgium
100% of lawyers are based in towns and cities
ASF in Chad
Area: 1,284,000 km2 (42 times the size of Belgium)
11.5 million inhabitants
Number of lawyers: around 100, or 1 lawyer per 115,000 inhabitants (in Belgium: 1 lawyer per 666 inhabitants)
100% of lawyers are based in towns and cities
Continue reading
ASF in Tunisia
Area: 163,610 km2 (5.3 times the size of Belgium)
10.5 million inhabitants
Number of lawyers: 8,000, or 1 lawyer per 1,312 inhabitants (in Belgium: 1 lawyer per 666 inhabitants)
Number of lawyers in the capital: 4,000
