In support of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 16 promoting the rule of law and access to justice for all, the Department of Justice (DOJ) joined the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's (UNODC) Experts Group Meeting (EGM) on Equal Access to Justice for All in the Ministry of Justice Palace in Brasilia, Brazil from 9-11 December 2024.
Around 26 countries represented by judges and prosecutors from their respective justice ministries/judiciaries who are involved in legal aid/access to justice programs engaged in the activity.
The DOJ was represented by Assistant State Prosecutor Joan Carla V. Guevarra, Program Director of the DOJ Action Center (DOJAC).
DOJAC is the Department’s frontline office with the mandate to provide legal assistance, referral of complaints and requests for assistance, and mediation services to clients.
Under the administration of Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, the DOJAC has strengthened its services and have rolled out several Access to Justice programs such as “Katarungan Caravan,” including legal assistance to PDLs, “Justice in Action,” a lecture series and have formed partnerships to provide legal aid with various private organizations such as the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and Philippines Association of Law Schools (PALS).
In addition, DOJAC has been establishing and managing regional offices (Region I, III, V, VII, X and XI) to serve more clients.
The EGM served as a platform for discussions focused on ensuring that all people have equal access to justice by identifying challenges and barriers within legal systems, and revisiting existing strategies and best practices.
There was emphasis on a people-centered approach to justice, as adapting the same would enable countries to better uphold the rights for all - victims of crimes, survivors, and offenders.
Following discussions and sharing of their countries’ challenges and best practices, the experts, on the final day, came up with Recommendations to be presented to the next UNODC Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice.
A visit was also scheduled for the Public Defender’s Office Services project called “Atendimento Itinerants”.
This mobile legal assistance office is one of Brazil’s projects in an effort to provide equal justice to all.