Establishment

Eastern Center for Culture and Legal Aid, is an initiative from a group of youth who are committed to dissemination of culture of peace & democracy and working to build the capacities in protection of human beings from all kinds of discrimination and exploitation

The group took initiative after the signature of Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 through contribution by organizing workshops and forums about promotion the rule of law and dissemination the culture of peace and justice for the Society of Eastern Sudan.

The Center was officially registered in 2008 in Ministry of Culture, Information, Youth and Sport in Kassala State. Its main objective is to disseminate Culture of Rule of Law 

The Key Objectives of Center’s are

To conduct workshops about human rights with a focus on civil and cultural rights

To disseminate culture of respect of human rights

To provide legal aid and legal assistance to children and women  and others who are in dare  need of legal assistant

To take care of innovative youths in the area of art and culture

To conduct election education and to contribute to the creation of election monitoring groups  

Background of Founders and Initiative Activities of Eastern Center

Participated in a workshop about the role of United Nations Mission in Kassala State in 2005

Conducted 15 discussions circle in 2005 about the role of civil society in peace building and peace keeping and rehabilitation of lives that destroyed by war

Conducted more than 30 awareness-raising sessions about CPA in rural Kassala in 2005

Participated in rule of law workshop that supported by UNDP rule of Law department in 2006

Conducted Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA) in Rule of Law and Legal Problems in Kassala State in 2006, the PRA supported by UNDP, Rule of Law Department

Provided legal assistant and legal representation to 103 cases, the majority assisting women.  The group defended for them before Sharrea’a courts, civil and criminal courts as well as other cases under civil, labour  and criminal cases in  the period from 2006-2007

Achievement of the Eastern Center

The center was able to build  strong relation with Lawyer’s Trade Union, with Judiciary and Justice System, Police and Prison’s Authorities  in Kassala State

With support from UNDP, Rule of Law Department The Center carried out 12 awareness raising workshops in 2008

 The partnership relation with Fredrick Elbert started in August 2008, where the center received funding to conduct training courses about election. The center was able to train 80 participants in election monitoring among them, judges, lawyers, police officers, attorneys, media specialists, and members of political parties

In November 2008, the center contracted by UNDP, Rule of Law Department to execute program of justice and promotion the rule of law in Kassala 

Future activities of Eastern Center for Culture and Legal Aid

Continuing  on provision of free legal advice and legal representation for people who cannot afford legal fees or unaware about their rights or legal procedures

Capacity building for judiciaries personnel, and law prosecutors

Paralegal training courses devoted to train 30 police officers and attorneys as paralegals

Networking with organizations which have similar mandate

Develop network among trainers that trained to monitor the up coming election

Establishing cultural and culture preservation library for Children in Kassala State

Establishment  Branches for the Eastern Center in other Cities in East Sudan i.e. in Port Sudan and El Gadarif