LocationsNew Legal Aid Office Inaugurated in Kadamjay will Expand Access to Justice
December 9, 2024
9 December, Kadamjay– A new Legal Aid Office was officially inaugurated today, marking a pivotal step in enhancing access to justice for residents of Kadamjay District and the broader Batken province. The office offers timely and high-quality legal assistance, particularly for vulnerable groups.
This initiative is the result of a collaboration of the Legal Aid Service under the Ministry of Justice of the Kyrgyz Republic, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Kyrgyzstan with support of the Government of Finland. The Kadamjay District Administration provided the premises on a complimentary basis, which were subsequently renovated and equipped to ensure high-quality legal assistance for the community.
Speaking at the inauguration, Alexandra Solovieva, UNDP Resident Representative highlighted the importance of this new facility in delivering timely and effective legal services, particularly for vulnerable groups. "This office will significantly expand access to justice for the residents of Kadamjay District and beyond, providing critical support for those most in need. We highly value our mutual fruitful collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, as well as with national and local partners, in working towards the achievement of sustainable development," she stated.
The opening aligns with the State Guaranteed Legal Aid (SGLA) Development Program and Action Plan for 2024–2028, which lays a foundation for strengthening justice services nationwide.
With support from UNDP, the Ministry of Justice has achieved remarkable results in 2024:
- 53,269 consultations provided and legal aid delivered to 25,478 citizens, with 43% being women.
- The development of automated systems for the State Guaranteed Legal Aid System and Archive.
- Launched the 114 hotline, facilitating easier access to legal assistance.
- Seven FLA offices have been opened and are now operational: two in Batken (Leilek and Kadamjai districts), two in Issyk-Kul (Tong and Tyup districts), two in Naryn (Ak-Talaa and Kochkor districts), and one in Talas (Aitmatov district). These are in addition to the 17 offices established earlier
"The opening of a new free legal aid office in Kadamjai is a significant step in developing an accessible and effective justice system for all citizens, including those living in remote areas. According to a study conducted by UNDP, distance and the cost of legal services remain major barriers to accessing justice. Many people cannot afford to travel long distances due to a lack of funds, resources, or time. By establishing such offices in remote areas, we are gradually bringing legal assistance closer to the population, removing barriers, and providing everyone with the opportunity to protect their rights. I would like to express my gratitude to UNDP for their consistent and systematic support in the establishment and development of the state-guaranteed legal aid system.", said Akzhol Kalbekov, Chair of Legal Aid Service under the Ministry of Justice.
As a development priority, UNDP is actively working to address the socio-economic challenges of Batken Province by promoting good governance, fostering green growth, implementing climate resilience measures, and expanding economic opportunities.
This legal aid office is part of the project “Strengthening Human Rights Protection and Equal Access to Justice in the Kyrgyz Republic” (Phase III), funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland and implemented by UNDP.
The initiative underscores UNDP’s ongoing efforts to ensure justice systems are fair, accountable, and accessible, addressing the everyday justice needs of all, especially the most marginalized.
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