GEO
Legal Education and Legal Aid
Every citizen has the right for a qualified legal service and advocacy based on appropriate Georgian legislature and international documents. According to the art. 42 of the Constitution of Georgia the right for advocacy is guaranteed.
In 1990, the UN 8th Congress adopted Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers which clearly indicates the importance of qualified legal service, and the obligation of governments to ensure appropriate conditions for the realization of this right. Unfortunately, in Georgia the realization of this right is associated with various obstacles and in fact, remains only declared at legal level.
The problems related to the increasing power of law enforcement structures, partially independent judiciary system, the lack of legal awareness of citizens and other relevant issues need to be addressed urgently.
Additionally we should take into account that the legal service in any country is very expensive and attorneys are one of the high payable people in the world. Coming from above mentioned, in Georgia where the majority of population has no access to the private legal service, most of people apply for a free-of-charge services offered by various NGOs.
The Parliamentarian Committee on Human Rights and Civil Integration and the Public Defenders Office are those governmental structures providing help to the vulnerable groups of population. Due to the fact, that these structures are not able to replay all those people applying everyday for legal aid, the Union Century 21 provides the assistance through its permanent legal aid programme.
From June to December 2006 the Union “Century 21” assisted to the Accused persons displaced in prisons in Kutaisi, Zugdidi and Batumi which are in need of qualified legal aid and due to financial hardship are not able to get such assistance. The project was supported by the OSCE Mission to Georgia.
“At the heart of every civilised and progressive society lies respect for human rights. This pocket database is designed to be carried close to the heart of every Georgian lawmaker” wrote HM Ambassador Donald McLaren of McLaren in the preface of the guide book on human rights which was prepared by the Union “Century 21”.
In December 2005 has started the project "Free of Charge Legal Aid to the Vulnerable Groups of Population in Tbilisi and in Kakheti, Shida Kartli and Kvemo Kartli Regions"
In 2004-2005 the Union "Century 21" in cooperation with the Parliamentarian Committee on Human Rights and Civil Integration implemented the project: "Free Legal Aid for the Vulnerable Group of the Population Who Apply to the Parliamentarian Committee on Human Rights and Civil Integration".
