SLSA to propose inclusion of marginalised communities
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 15 2013:
PLHIV, Transgender, sex worker and drug users will be given recognition as specific vulnerable communities entitled to access legal services and free legal aid under the Manipur State Legal Services Authority, said A Guneshwor Sharma, member secretary, Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) .
He was speaking during a Consultation meet on "Strengthening the delivery of legal entitlements of marginal communities" organized by MASLSA, Manipur State AIDS Control Society, Project ORCHID and Centre for Advocacy and Research at Hotel Classic here today.
MASLSA will propose its board for inclusion of people living with HIV/AIDS, Transgender, sex worker and drug users in the list of people eligible for accessing free legal aid in a meeting tomorrow in Imphal.
Vulnerable communities like People who Use Drugs (PUD), People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV), Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), and Transgender (TG) representing the Community Network for Empowerment (CoNE), Manipur Network of Positive People (MNP+), All Manipur Nupimanbi Association (AMANA), Social Awareness and Service Organisation (SASO), Dedicated Peoples Union (DPU) from various parts of the state took part in the interaction and shared their experiences.
They narrated incidents of violation of their rights in inheritance, abuse from law enforcement and sought justice.
Addressing the gathering, Guneshwor Sharma said that the Manipur State legal Services Authority has been set up with an aim to protect the constitutional rights of all human beings, vulnerable communities in particular.
They can approach MASLSA in Imphal or District Legal Services Authorities (DLSA) in districts concerned for grievance redressal.
"The government provides free legal aid services to the marginalized and vulnerable population across the state.
Apart from providing free legal aid, the organization will also strive for legal literacy among the needy," he added.
Dr Shailesh Kumar Chourasia, Project Director, Manipur State AIDS Control Society, emphasized the need for a concerted effort and stated that all stakeholders need to work together so that vulnerable communities access legal aid without difficulty and that their rights respected.
Underlining difficulties faced by communities in accessing legal aid, Dr Chourasia suggested setting up of 'nodal points'.
NGOs, community networks and agencies working with these communities can serve as nodal points to bridge the legal services-community gap, he added.
Key recommendations emerging from the Consultation included action against any official or person not complying with the law or direct Government to implement its programmatic commitments made to marginal communities to secure right to health and life, give appropriate directives to the law enforcement and take cognizance of cases of violence faced by the marginalized communities, direct drug rehabilitation centres and other health care facilities to ensure human rights are respected, patients are not forced or abused during treatment and treatment is accordance with the guidelines established by the Department of Social Welfare, initiate interactions between marginalized communities and legal aid centres across the districts in Manipur, provide timely access to legal counselling for these marginalized communities through legal aid cells, under the leadership of MASLSA initiate training for members of the community in legal rights across the districts of Manipur, include members of the marginalized communities into the Peer Legal Volunteer initiative so that communities are able to access timely legal aid.
The Manipur State Legal Services Authority started functioning in 1995.Under MASLSA there are presently four Legal Aid Clinics in ManipurLMS Law College, Imphal, Royal Academy of Law, Oinam, Cheirap Court complex, Imphal, and in Malom.
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