Access to justice – CHREAA

STRENGTHENING ACCESS TO JUSTICE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES IN MALAWI

CHREAA — Sat, 01 Jan 2022 17:26:21 +0000

CHREAA is implementing a project that aims to enhance access to justice and improve its delivery in local communities. The project focuses on empowering communities and bridging the gap between the informal justice system and the formal justice system. The targeted communities for this project are Chikwawa, Chiradzulu, Dedza, and Mwanza districts. CHREAA has successfully trained 310 community paralegals and reached out to over 4,421 people through mobile clinics.

COMBATING TORTURE IN PLACES OF DETENTION

CHREAA — Fri, 14 May 2021 05:51:43 +0000

MALAWI BAIL PROJECT

CHREAA — Wed, 07 Jan 2015 14:15:22 +0000

The Malawi Bail Project (MBP) is a unique initiative aimed at empowering impoverished individuals facing minor charges with basic legal knowledge to successfully apply for bail. The project seeks to increase the rate of approved bail applications and reduce the prolonged pre-trial detentions and unlawful imprisonment of individuals in overcrowded Malawian prisons. To achieve its goals, MBP employs three cost-effective strategies, including the distribution of informative booklets/posters to legal institutions, the installation of speaker systems in holding cells, and the provision of a toll-free Paralegal Advice Line.

In 2023, CHREAA monitored the impact of the installed bail audio message systems and distributed booklets in key police stations and courts in Blantyre. Through these efforts, CHREAA reached 7,261 suspects, resulting in 4,928 individuals being granted bail. The organization also collected valuable data on the suspects, particularly in major courts and police stations. Furthermore, CHREAA organized a training session, during which 80 police officers underwent familiarization sessions focused on enhancing their comprehension of bail-related matters. Overall, the project demonstrated success in achieving its objectives by providing essential legal information and facilitating the release of a significant number of individuals facing minor charges.

PROVIDING PARALEGAL AID ASSISTANCE AT ONE STOP CENTRE (CHILD PROTECTION)

CHREAA — Fri, 14 May 2010 05:51:20 +0000

Providing Paralegal Aid Services at One Stop Centre (Child Protection) is a project that was initiated by CHREAA Malawi with the aim of improving the protection and delivery of justice to victims of sexual abuse in particular children. CHREAA’s overall goal in the project is to protect children who have been sexually violated, provide paralegal services, refer the cases to court, follow up on them, and ensure that the culprits are convicted, and the victims receive justice. Once cases are reported and recorded at One Stop Centre, CHREAA’s paralegal officers meet the victims and their guardians and give them legal advice on how to handle the cases to secure convictions. In 2023, the Centre registered a total of 621 cases, with 471 involving child victims. CHREAA paralegals conducted 321 face-to-face interviews with sexual abuse complainants and followed up on 123 cases for which contact details were provided. Of the total cases, 185 proceeded to trial, resulting in 91 convictions, while the remaining 94 are still pending in court.