The Honourable Mr Kamal Kumar, Chief Justice of Fiji,

Hon. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, Attorney General of Fiji,

Mr Shahin Ali, Director, Legal Aid Commission,

H.E. Mr. Sujiro Seam, EU Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union for the Pacific,

Esteemed guests,

Colleagues,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening to you all.

I am delighted to be here with our prominent partners at the public launch of this historic digital innovation initiative undertaken by the Fiji Legal Aid Commission.

Following just over a year of intense work and dedication, I would like to start off by congratulating the Legal Aid Commission for the launch of this very handy and practical platform which will facilitate access to legal assistance and advice to all Fijians especially vulnerable groups and people living in remote areas.

The important role of the legal aid provision was recognized by the United Nations Principles and Guidelines on Access to Legal Aid in Criminal Justice Systems, adopted by the General Assembly in 2012, that made it an obligation for Member States to put in place accessible, effective, sustainable and credible legal aid systems, with specialized services for groups, particularly children, women and people with disabilities.  Access to legal aid is central to ensuring access to justice, especially for the poorest and most vulnerable people.

Ladies and gentlemen, the case and client digital management and e-filing system will improve the provision of legal aid services and information, and establish a system for monitoring, analyzing and reporting on case trends to strengthen accountability and transparency in access to justice procedures.

Through this innovation, UNDP with EU funding seeks to strengthen the right to access justice and due process for the people of Fiji, strengthen people-centered justice system, and further accountable and transparent legal aid management.

For UNDP, support to increasing capacity for enhanced legal aid services is a key part of our mandate to delivering the SDGs. Legal aid protects rights and reduces risks for the poor and most marginalized. Access to justice is a prominent feature of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with its own dedicated Target 16.3 of Goal 16 which focuses on promoting the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensuring equal access to justice for all.

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated more than ever the importance of connectivity and use of digital platforms to provide services to those in urban areas and those in remote and isolated hard to reach communities. While noting that digitalization is not a panacea or silver bullet to all service delivery challenges, UNDP notes that when carefully deployed, digital solutions can leapfrog development processes and access to services which would otherwise have taken too long to achieve.

Ladies and gentlemen, this is an opportune time for the digital development in the justice system, as heightening justice needs have been reported worldwide and experienced in Fiji, due to the social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Upgrading the efficiency of the justice system and upholding the rule of law and access to justice is crucial at this time.

I would like to congratulate the Director of Legal Aid Commission, Mr. Shahin Ali for his leadership in this historic step forward towards a more efficient and people-centered justice system.

I would also like to thank DXC Eclipse for enabling this digital innovation as a partner with the common aspirations.

Once again, I would like to express my gratitude to the EU for its strong support and continuing partnership for advancing people’s access to justice in Fiji.

Thank you.