Karachi: The program titled “Legal Assistance and Awareness Program for Vulnerable Communities Across Sindh” was launched in June 2022 in association with the Legal Aid Society (LAS), a not-for-profit non-governmental organization.

The program commenced with the objective to provide direct free legal aid and assistance to victims of human rights violations in the province of Sindh, who are unable to access justice mechanisms due to poor socio-economic circumstances rendering them unable to cover litigation and other associated expenses.

The program gives preference to the cases of orphans, old age citizens, women-related issues, and victims of domestic violence. Through HRD’s program, the most vulnerable segment of the population was targeted, females were the majority of the beneficiaries.

 LAS with strong linkages within communities, cases were referred to LAS, particularly through community leaders in Karachi and other districts of Sindh, as well as through partnerships that LAS has forged with institutions such as Dar-ul-Amans (women’s shelter homes), Sindh Child Protection Authority (SCPA), Child Protection Units (CPUs), Citizen Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) Women Protection Cells (WPC), Women Complaint Cells (WCC), Sindh Legal Aid Advisory Call Center (SLACC), Women Development Department (WDD), Human Rights Commission Pakistan (HRCP).

Since the commencement of the program, LAS has filed 211 cases in courts across the target districts including 68 in Karachi, 32 in Sanghar, 37 in Hyderabad, 36 in Shaheed Benazirabad, 9 in Larkana, 8 in Dadu, 14 in Sukkur, and 10 in Khairpur. In sum, HRD’s project has enabled LAS advocates to strengthen their connections with vulnerable populations in the aforementioned districts and provide communities residing in these areas with awareness about their legal rights relating to human rights issues.

 LAS aims to continue to assist vulnerable community members in mitigating human rights abuses, work together with human rights defenders and legal organizations and equip LAS advocates to combat all forms of discrimination against our most vulnerable community members.

During the floods, the HRD’s program supported many laborers. LAS has played a vital role in this regard. HRD has several success stories. All the beneficiaries of successful cases are thankful to LAS for the efforts they have made in protecting them from a very harmful and dangerous situation.

The continuation of the program will be vital to continue helping impoverished populations get justice when they have no other avenue.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 02 2023

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