‘MyJustice’ Programme in Myanmar

Purpose

MyJustice is a four-year European Union-funded programme managed by the British Council, with supporting DIHR technical expertise. The programme aims to equip people in Myanmar, especially the poor, to obtain the knowledge, confidence and opportunities to have their disputes fairly and equitably resolved. This involves making quality legal services available in rural communities, as well as increasing the capacity of communities to resolve disputes and conflicts themselves through mediation and community paralegals. During the inception phase, the programme conducted careful analysis and in-depth research on formal and informal justice systems and access to justice in Myanmar. One clearly identified need is that of addressing inadequate justice services for users; in the programme, this will be supported through local Justice Centres. These centres provide a one-stop-shop for legal advice, assistance and representation for civil and criminal matters for the poor and the vulnerable, and help raise people’s understanding of their legal rights and obligations, including through linkages with community- based paralegals and social service providers. Currently there are Justice Centres in Yangon and Mawlamyine, however, the programme will expand to establish and support Justice Centres in a total of six regions in Myanmar.

The difference we make

The design of MyJustice is based upon three key principles:

1. People-centred: to encourage learning, trust and collaboration between communities, civil society, legal professionals and justice institutions;
2. Community-driven and locally led: to empower communities to identify solutions to the challenges they face; and
3. Powered by evidence - to build a deep understanding of Myanmar’s unique socio-cultural and political context, upon which locally owned solutions can be based. Rather than being prescriptive, the approach emphasizes contextual and community-driven solutions to access to justice issues, taking its point of departure in users’ identified needs.

Since September 2015, the MyJustice Justice Centres in Yangon and Mawlamyine, have provided legal assistance for over 500 individuals, including approx. 100 women. Moreover, the centres have provided support to over 2000 of their clients’ family members and criminal and civil legal advice to nearly 300 individuals. While all of these activities have increased communities’ awareness of legal rights, MyJustice has also provided support to the Justice Centres to expand legal awareness of law students, faculty and the community through trainings, public lectures, and mock trials. To date, the two centres’ legal awareness programmes have reached 4800 individuals.

DIHR provides on-going technical expertise in developing MyJustice programming and research, including in the areas of access to justice, paralegals, and community-based dispute resolution mechanisms.

Partners

• British Council
• European Union