About Legal Aid Organization of Afghanistan

Mr. Nooristani, Ms. Saljuqi and Mr. Jakosa

By: Afzal Nooristani

In December, 2006, Ms. Mahbooba Saljuqi and I founded the Legal Aid Organization of Afghanistan (“LAOA”). It is a non-profit, independent, domestically registered Afghan NGO whose mandate is to provide legal aid services in the areas of criminal defense, family law, and some areas of civil law to residents of Afghanistan. Our particular emphasis is on marginalized, indigent, and under-represented populations. 

The organizational structure that we developed is a model of international standards for non-profit governance, complete with organizational Charter, an entirely Afghan Board of Directors, and a full complement of operational policies that dictate the organization’s day-to-day operations. 

LAOA provides legal services ranging from advice and consultation all the way to representation at trial and appeal.  Direct representation services are provided through the Criminal Defense Services and the Women & Children’s Affairs departments of the organization. They are also providing legal services to the people assisted by the Humanitarian Assistance to Women & Children of Afghanistan organization.  This organization also helps women fleeing various forms of violence. 

Since the commencement of our operations, the LAOA has represented more than ten thousands (10,000) cases in courts and other justice sector institutions.  

As part of its mandate the LAOA offers professional development trainings, is involved in law reform initiatives and has forged service and support partnerships with a number of international organizations that are stakeholders in the rule of law sector in Afghanistan. Our education and training Department has primary responsibility for these activities which proved to be very essential for the development of the profession of defense lawyers in Afghanistan. It is our hope that this emphasis on practical professional training will play a significant role in building the capacity of Afghan lawyers. Building the capacity of Afghan lawyers is key to improving access to quality legal representation throughout the country, both in the private practice of law and through legal aid. 

The Training and Education Department of the LAOA has, so far, provided Advocacy Skills Training to more than 1000 lawyers, graduates of law and shariah faculties and other personnel of justice sector institutions in Kabul and 25 other provinces of Afghanistan. Beside that 159 professionals in the justice sector have received training through Legal Training Workshops in the above mentioned provinces.  

For the first time in the history of justice system of Afghanistan, the Paralegal Training Program (PTP)” were designed, written and initiated by LAOA and successfully introduced to the Afghan legal community. LAOA was the first organization that introduced the new profession “Paralegal” in the justice system of the country and actually hired paralegals to take part in the provision of legal aid services.  

Our Research Department complements and supports the activities of the other departments by providing case specific legal research that is available to lawyers within the organization as well as lawyers in private practice who join the general membership of LAOA.  This department is also actively engaged in research on pertinent law reform issues and publishing the legal weekly newspaper HAAMI (the Advocate). HAAMI is the first legal weekly newspaper in the country which started publication since 2009.