The town of Guiglo, situated some 530 km west of Abidjan, now has a legal clinic and a court of first instance detached from magistrateís court based in the western city of Man. They were inaugurated on Thursday, 12 December 2013 by the Chief of Staff of the Minister of Justice, Human Rights and Civil Liberties, Kadjo Fodjo Abo in the presence of the Deputy Special Representative of UN Secretary-General for CÙte díIvoire, Arnauld AkodjËnou and a senior official of the European Union (EU), Elise Hatman.



The two institutions, which began functioning about seven months ago, were constructed, rehabilitated and equipped by the United Nations Operation in CÙte díIvoire (UNOCI), the EU, the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the UN Childrenís Fund (UNICEF) and the German Embassy.



Speaking at the double inauguration ceremony, the Deputy Special Representative, Arnauld AkodjËnou expressed satisfaction with the results obtained by the legal clinic and the court in view of the number of consultations held and cases treated so far. ìIn accordance with the UN Security Council mandate, UNOCI has the responsibility to support the re-establishment and strengthening of the Ivorian judicial system and to mobilize its expertise, through its Rule of Law Section, to identify difficulties and mobilize resources to undertake appropriate action,î he said. Mr. AkodjËnou spoke of the specificity of the Cavally region, saying ìour presence in Guiglo is significant because of the challenges related to the difficulties in accessing the judiciary system, land ownership problems, gender-based violence and the protection of minors.î



The Deputy Special Representative concluded by assuring the Ministry of Justice and civil society of UNOCIís support. ìWe hereby reiterate the UNís commitment to the Ministryís different programmes related to access to the justice system and wish to congratulate the Association of Women Jurists for working for the underprivileged, women, children and detainees who are now able to know and exercise their rights.î



The Chief of staff of the Minister of Justice thanked all the technical and financial partners and reassured the Association of Women Jurists about the permanence of the legal clinics. ìThrough the Project for the Support and Improvement of Access to Rights and Justice (PALAJ), the legal clinic aims to promote the rule of law and to make justice accessible to all. I am satisfied with the results obtained. That is why the Ministry is committed to making the legal clinic a permanent establishment and ensure its development,î Mr. Abo promised.



The municipal authorities in Guiglo welcomed the setting up of the legal clinic and court of first instance and promised to give them all their support.Bicycles were distributed to community focal points to facilitate their work in the field.