Maputo, 17 Jul (AIM) – The Mozambican Minister Justice, Mateus Saize, has recommended the country’s Institute for Legal Aid and Assistance (IPAJ) to fulfill its mission with responsibility, ensuring greater access to justice for economically vulnerable citizens.
Speaking at the 12th IPAJ Consultative Council meeting, held under the motto “IPAJ: Where vulnerability finds protection and rights find defense”, by providing free legal aid, the State is not performing an act of charity but fulfilling a constitutional duty, realizing a human right, strengthening citizenship, and consolidating the democratic rule of law.
According to the minister, free legal aid is a constitutional right and an essential tool for ensuring equal access to justice and social inclusion. “Justice cannot exist as long as there are citizens prevented from exercising their rights due to a lack of financial resources to access justice services and legal aid”, he said.
He added that the justice sector is undergoing a reform process that demands institutions that are more efficient, modern, inclusive, and results-oriented, capable of responding to the country’s social, economic, and technological transformations.
According to the minister, IPAJ’s legal framework must be reformed to align the institution with current challenges and clarify its mission regarding public legal aid.
“Public defenders must conduct themselves according to high standards of ethics, integrity, and responsibility so that needy citizens find IPAJ to be an institution characterized by trust, dignity, and professionalism”, the minister said.
For her part, IPAJ Director-General, Carla Soto, recalled that the body’s mission is aligned with the principle of equality, ensuring that economic vulnerability does not constitute an obstacle to the exercise of citizens’ fundamental rights.
(AIM)
Lt/Am/
