Tajikistan is a country in transition from a post-Soviet legacy and a post-conflict situation towards democracy and market economy. In its efforts to change the policy and regulatory environment and establish democratic governance, the government ratified most of the UN Conventions and initiated comprehensive legal reform in 2007. New legal framework is under development, including major legal acts “on Advokatura”, “on legal aid”, etc. However, enforcement remains a major challenge as well as the development of sustainable legal services to the population, capacities and people being aware of their rights.

Contribute to better access to justice for marginalized persons – in particular for women left behind by (male) labor migrants - by establishing a platform fordialogue between civil society and the Government to address key challenges in the access to justice and by enhancing the capacities of civil society and the Government in applying rule of law reforms

By its focus on promoting dialogue on reform and improving the State authorities' reform on obstacles to access to justice, the project is targeting primarily the national level. However, the legal aid services will focus on certain regions. The project will continue to support legal aid services in the following areas: Dushanbe, Khujand, Vahdat, Isfara and Kurgantube. These areas are chosen due to previous support to the legal aid centres situated in those particular regions.

The direct beneficiaries are the lawyers, legal aid centres and local NGOs, as well as judiciary governmental actors. The indirect beneficiaries are the citizens in Tajikistan, in particular marginalized groups. Legal information will be provided to around 80’000 citizens and around 20’000 will be supported with quality legal services.

• Legal awareness raising fosters legal protection of marginalized groups and individuals (>65% women) in project areas (100’000 individuals)
• Legal aid services provide better access to legal protection for marginalized groups and individuals (>65% women) in project areas (20’000 persons)
• Effective and responsive government services provide legal information and support to marginalized groups and individuals (>65% women) in project areas
• Key challenges in access to justice and rule of law identified are raised in a policy dialogue with government authorities and other stakeholders leading to concrete responses for improved access to justice 

Phase 1 01.12.2012 - 30.11.2016   (Completed)