Background:
Patriarchal village system of Bangladesh, so called weak rural arbitration system is unable to provide justice to the poor, marginal people in case of their conflicts with powerful & rich man of village. Moreover Poor & distressed people of the village are still struggling to get accessibility in institutionalized justice system. It has been also seen that local civil society, Students of different institutions aren’t much helpful to ensure justice of the poor and distressed people.
Form our survey assessment we found poor & marginal people aren’t organized and aware about their constitutional legal rights; as a result Poor, distressed people of the society deprive of justice and legal support. Additionally civil society, students and different stakeholders also aren’t aware of Citizen legal rights. CCBVO is implementing Community Legal Rights Awareness and Services (CLRS) program so that poor, distressed and marginal people accessibility in legal process increased and they become aware about legal rights.
During 2014-2018 time periods this program implemented as Community Legal Services (CLS) program with financial support of BLAST. From 2019 CCBVO is implementing the program with its own funds naming Community Legal Rights Awareness and Services (CLRS). In 2019 CCBVO has implemented Community Legal Rights Awareness and Services (CLRS) program as pilot phase. Considering the achievements and need of the CLRS program is running its 1st phase with own fund of CCBVO.
Program Goal: Achieving accessibility in institutionalized, non- institutionalized justice system.
Strategies/ objectives of the program:
- To build unity of the oppressed, marginal and ethnic people to establish their legal rights.
- To enhance legal aid opportunity for marginal women, child and ethnic people by erasing oppression, discrimination, poverty and inequality.
- To raise awareness of socially neglected and remote area belonging people about their rights.
Working Area: Godagari and Paba Upazila Rajshahi District
Present activities:
- Raising awareness of the leaderships of different CBOs (like Rokkhagola and Science clubs) about Legal aid services.
- Provides advice and advocates where people can get free legal aid if needed any legal support.