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Avocats Sans Frontières in East Timor
- Location: Dili
- Date of creation: July 2002
- Team: 3 expatriates, 14 local staff and 85 collaborating lawyers
- Objective: to contribute to the establishment of a democratic state through the promotion of equity and justice
- Financing: Canada (DFAIT), European Union (EU), Denmark (DANIDA), Ireland (DCI) and Sigrid Rausing Trust, UNDP
Context
On 20 May 2002, East Timor became an independent state. A former Portuguese colony, it was illegally annexed by Indonesia in 1975 who then administered it for 25 years. The 1999 referendum put an end to this - but not without violence. After the results of the referendum, the local population was the victim of killing, looting and destruction perpetrated by anti-independence militia groups.
Following the independence of this young democracy, it was considered essential to establish an independent judicial system that respects human rights and international law, and ASF became involved in that effort. Unrest and violence has recently troubled this young nation again, beginning from March 2006, which has underlined the great need for ongoing investment and programs to strengthen the rule of law and justice system. ASF is committed to remain engaged in the process of recovery, awareness raising and confidence building that is now essential to the future stability of East Timor.
Description of ASF programme
Since opening their offices in July 2002, ASF has actively supported both institutional and civil society actors who contribute to the establishment of a democratic state governed by the rule of law, and has done this in a difficult post-conflict context. Through their actions, ASF aims to guarantee justice that is fair and impartial in the service of the local population, especially the most vulnerable groups. To achieve this, ASF participates in the development of a justice system that functions according to international standards whilst respecting local cultures and traditions.
ASF activities in East Timor favour a participatory approach, that is, ASF acts in collaboration with local authorities and stakeholders. The focus of our activities to date has been principally on raising legal awareness amongst the rural population, assistance in the creation and strengthening of a Bar Association, the training of lawyers, and technical advice in legislative drafting.
As of 2006, ASF has three active projects in East Timor:
1. Support for Bar Association of East Timor - Asosiasaun Advogadu Timor Lorosa’e (AATL).
- Objective : to support the creation and development of the East Timor Bar Association, as the representative body of the private lawyers of the country.
- Target group: lawyers who are members of AATL.
- Activities:
1. Technical assistance in drafting of statutes and internal rules, the establishment of relevant bodies and the organisation of elections.
2. Support for the development of professional and ethical rules as well as dialogue on accreditation standards for the profession.
3. Logistical support and finance (office, library, administrative personnel).
4. Organisational support (meetings, publications, website).
5. Building of organisational capacity (monitoring and training of administrative personnel).
6. Other localised activities (organisation of exchanges with foreign Bars and related entities).
2. Lawyer Training.
- Objective: to reinforce the professional capacities of the lawyers of East Timor, in a context of rapidly changing legislation and justice system
- Target group: local Lawyers
- Activities:
1. Workshops on legal topics (civil, criminal, laws concerning women and children, human rights, property law, etc.), legal procedure, consultation techniques, professional ethics, etc. Training workshops are facilitated by international and national experts, and cover the information and skills that the lawyers need to provide professional legal services for their clients.
2. Training for law firms in the form of mentoring (firm management, file management, drafting techniques, pleadings, etc.) In this way, ASF was able to offer hands-on, practical support and advice to
private lawyers and law firms requesting individualised assistance.
3. Portuguese language courses. 
3. Grassroots Legal Awareness.
- Objective: in partnership with the Timorese NGOs Fedaros and CIES-TL, the objective is to guarantee better access to law and justice through increasing legal awareness and access to information among the population of rural areas.
- Target group: the population of three districts: Baucau, Liquiça and Suai.
- Activities: to educate and raise the awareness of the population about different aspects of law (human rights, laws concerning women and children, property law, etc.), ASF conducted a range of activities.
1. Training of over 100 community legal liaisons (selected as persons of authority in the locality) on basic legal information and practical procedures, including mediation skills. The liaisons serve as focal point for legal issues and disputes within their community, provide information on human rights and access to justice, and provide referral to formal legal, civil society and government services.
2. Organisation of village level informational meetings by the community legal liaisons, involving over 9,000 people to date. These “community meetings” promote increased awareness about the law and rights among the local population, as the liaisons and ASF team teach community members about access to justice in their own local language. This facilitates effective transfer of knowledge, encourages strong attendance and ensures participants are keenly interested in the subject matter.
3. District Workshops to reinforce and develop the information disseminated at the village level. Local experts lead the discussion on topics including property disputes, gender issues and access to justice, domestic violence, child rights and the rights and responsibilities of citizens.
4. Production of radio programs focused on legal topics, and broadcast on community radio stations.
5. Performance of educational dramas to effectively communicate information on rights and access to justice, using local theater groups.
Perspectives
A project of legal aid via the organisation of mobile clinics in rural areas to be carried out in partnership with the AATL has been developed and submitted to partners for finance. Also, ASF seeks to expand and replicate the successful model of the Grassroots Legal Awareness project in other districts, with an emphasis on women’s and children’s rights. <
Interesting links
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"Making Monitoring Work: Strategic Action" thursday December 17th 2009, 9.00 > 18.00
Workshop organised by ASF in cooperation with Diakonia and Al-Haq
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ROOM for JUSTICE - Amsterdam - 15/10 > 30/11/2009
A photo exhibition on Globalisation and Justice
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| Go to the archives |
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ASF Programmes
