Legal aid experts from around the globe meet online at Ukrainian symposium to discuss the challenges and solutions in providing free legal aid during the COVID-19 pandemic

Kyiv, 4 March 2021 – To ensure that everyone is innocent under the law until proven quality is an almost universal principle and the cornerstone of modern democracies.  During the pandemic ensuring free legal is provided to everyone who can not afford legal representation has proven to be a challenge in countries around the world.  To discuss and record the challenges and solutions, the Coordination Centre of Free Legal Aid, a Ukrainian organization established within the system of the Ministry of Justice is organizing a global virtual conference with the support of the UN Development Programme.

Legal experts from 7 countries joined in the conference, called “KILAC-2021: COVID—(r)evolution of legal aid” to discuss the challenges of the free legal aid system during the pandemic and to share the best practices and solutions how to adjust to the new reality.

Manal Fouani, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative to Ukraine said legal aid is essential to guaranteeing equal access to justice for all, especially in the times of a global pandemic.

“At UNDP, we believe that only by consolidating efforts of local communities, civil societies, national and local governments, we will be able to endure this crisis and design governance solutions that allow for an adequate justice system to be in place” Fouani said. “Therefore, we need to leverage the use of technology and innovation to better serve human rights and rule of law and respond to the development challenges triggered by the pandemic.”

UNDP, in cooperation with the Coordination Centre for Legal Aid Provision in Ukraine, is finalizing an upgrade of the “Your Rights” mobile application, which will include a new section on inclusiveness and the rights of people with disabilities. This application has already helped more than 7,000 conflict-affected people in Ukraine learn about their rights, and ways to protect them. Following the upgrade, more men and women will benefit from the app.

Background information:

The international conference is supported by the Digital Solutions for Improved Access to Justice in Ukraine initiative, which is part of the UNDP Human Rights for Ukraine Project with the financial support of the Global Programme on Strengthening the Rule of Law and Human Rights for Sustaining Peace and Fostering Development.

The first KILAC conference was launched in 2019 in Kyiv and attracted more than 300 participants from eight different countries to share and learn about successful practices in ensuring effective access to justice, and the organization of legal aid provision.

Media enquires:

Yuliia Samus, UNDP in Ukraine Communications Team Leader, yuliia.samus@undp.org