KANDAHAR - Defence lawyers have a key role to play in supporting fair and transparent criminal proceedings, said participants at a legal aid conference organized by the UN and the Afghanistan Independent Bar Association (AIBA) in Kandahar.

More than 30 attorneys from various organizations, along with lecturers and law students, attended the event to discuss the roles and responsibilities of defence lawyers and the challenges they face in providing legal aid. 

“This is the first time in the southern region that we are participating in a legal aid conference,” said Mr. Sadiqullah Mosleh, one of the participants. “This event provides us with a platform to share our experiences and discuss the problems we face performing our duties.”

The participants at the Kandahar event discussed the need to raise more awareness about the rights of the accused, and called on police and prosecutors to cooperate with defence lawyers and involve them in all stages of criminal proceedings as detailed in the criminal procedure code.

The legal professionals agreed to share information and to collaborate and coordinate with each other, specifically in referring cases to specialists. They requested that another legal aid conference be held, this time with police, prosecutors and judges in attendance, so they can together focus on strengthening the full spectrum the of the legal process, especially legal aid procedures.

UNAMA has a mandate to lead and coordinate international civilian efforts, to support the efforts of the Afghan government and to improve governance and the rule of law. It does so as part of broad range of interventions made by the political mission to support the Afghan Government and the people of Afghanistan through its good offices and work to promote: coherent development; the process of peace and reconciliation; human rights and protection of civilians in armed conflict, as well as regional cooperation.