Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis adopts draft law on free legal aid in first reading

Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis considered the draft law “On Free Legal Aid” at today's session and adopted it in the first reading by vote. According to APA, the draft law consists of 5 chapters and 14 articles. It will set out the organizational, legal and economic foundations of free legal aid provided to persons entitled to receive it in the Republic of Azerbaijan, with the aim of protecting human and civil rights and freedoms, their legitimate interests, and ensuring that these persons receive quality legal assistance.

Primary legal aid includes information on the normative legal acts of the Republic of Azerbaijan and on the rights and obligations of state bodies, municipalities, individuals and legal entities, as well as help in preparing applications, complaints and other documents. Professional legal aid covers the defense of suspects or accused persons in criminal cases, and assistance to children who are victims of sexual exploitation or sexual violence, persons affected by domestic violence, and victims of human trafficking.

The law does not apply to activities related to protecting citizens' rights in international organizations and their representative offices, or in diplomatic missions and consulates of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Unless otherwise provided by law, free legal aid will be financed through funds allocated to the Bar Association from the state budget and organized by the Presidium of the Bar Association. Persons entitled to professional legal aid include low-income persons, members of families receiving targeted state social assistance, martyrs' families, war veterans, minors, refugees, persons granted political asylum, persons released from penitentiary institutions, and persons under probation supervision.