A new justice center in Shan State’s capital will provide free legal assistance to impoverished defendants facing criminal charges, according to high court lawyer Daw Khin Moe Moe.
The center opened on July 24 and already has five cases as of July 31.
“We won’t send away people who come to seek help at our center without doing anything. We will guide them with whatever methods [we can] to help them,” said Daw Khin Moe Moe.
The Taunggyi Justice Center will provide free legal assistance to criminal defendants. If the accused does not meet the center’s criteria, for instance if he or she has been charged with a civil lawsuit or the issue is related to family affairs, the center will transfer the case to other lawyers or organizations.
Sponsored by the European Union, the Justice Center is a four-year project that will be carried out in cooperation with the British Council and the International Bridges to Justice (IBJ), according to officials from the British Council.
Taunggyi Justice Center is located at the YMCA Building on Bogyoke Aung San Road and is open weekdays from 9am to 5pm.
