DHAKA, Oct 18, 2018 (BSS) – Government has provided free legal aid services to 7,885 women across the country through toll-free national helpline of National Legal Aid Services Organization (NLASO) from April, 2016 to March, 2018.
“NLASO has provided free legal aid to 25,887 people through national helpline number 16430 in last two years…Of them 7,885 were female and 18,003 were male,” Law Minister Anisul Huq told BSS.
Besides, we have been able to help realizing Taka 8, 35, 09,454 peacefully through mediation and provided legal assistance to 6,915 people through pre-case and post-case dispute resolution from July, 2015, to March, 2018, he added.
The NLASO is playing an important role in reducing a backlog of cases through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), the law minister said.
Legal aid seekers can seek legal supports using helpline by dialing 16430, sending SMS, facebook messenger or any other mobile applications.
The helpline is running under the supervision of a senior assistant judge. Three legal counselors are working to give services through the helpline.
Under NLASO, people can avail free legal advice, mediation between two parties over solvable disputes, conciliation in cases sent from the court, supplying vakalatnama for free, appointing lawyers to conduct cases, paying lawyers’ fee, paying honorarium to mediators, supplying copies of verdict or order for free and paying expenses for DNA tests, among others.
The district legal aid offices give legal assistances to people in criminal and civil cases like marrying again without the permission of first wife, torturing wife, demanding dowry or torturing for dowry, throwing acid, trafficking, abduction, rape and illegal confinement by law enforcers.
The NLSAO started its journey in 2001, but its full-fledged activities began in 2009 in 64 districts.
The main objective of the organisation is to provide high quality legal aid to the poor and underprivileged people in accordance with the provisions of the Legal Aid Services Act, 2000 in order to ensure access to justice.