By College of Law
The free legal service that has been offered by Haramaya University College of Law (CoL) has increased the University’s visibility in the community, head of Access to Justice and Legal Awareness (AJLA) in a meeting held on February 21, 2015 at the Resource Center.
Sultan Kassim, head of AJLA, said the free legal service currently covers 30 woredas in east and west Hararghe zones of Oromia Regional State as well as in Harari Regional State, with 96 % coverage of the total area.
The free legal service was started with only two centers in Haramaya and Harar. Currently, it has 39 centers and three legal clinics in the two regional states. With 58 full time staff, of which 44 are licensed lawyers, AJLA has boosted Haramaya University’s community engagement endeavors by rendering various free legal services to the needy and vulnerable, Sultan explained in his detailed presentation.
Since the establishment of the free legal service up to December 2014, a total of 171, 765 needy and vulnerable group the community in east and west Hararghe and Harari regional State have received free legal services in a variety of forms, according to head of AJLA.
A documentary film and a newsletter, which showcase the overall activity of AJLA project since its inception, are being finalized. Apart from its weekly radio programs in two languages at HU FM 91.5, AJLA project has plans to expand its promotion wings by buying air times in Oromia Radio as well as Haramaya Fana 94.5.
The presentation by head of AJLA was attended by Deputy Chief of Mission from Embassy of the United States of America in Ethiopia (Mr. Peter Vrooman), Chief, Office of Democracy and Governance USAID, Ethiopia (Trevor Hublin), CoL and AJLA staff members as well as students. Delegates from Debre Berhan Univeristy, who came to Haramaya University for experience sharing, were also able to part of the occasion. His presentation mainly focused on the background of the Social Justice Center, which hosts AJLA project. It also included the general project overview, major planned activities, what has been achieved so far, challenges faced, as well as photo galleries that indicate the activities of the project.
Following the presentation, a captivating discussion was conducted between members of AJLA and invited guests. In addition, a one hour documentary film which depicts the history of segregation in America was shown. It was aimed at commemorating Black History month, which is celebrated in the USA on the month of February.
