Promoting the Rule of Law in Myanmar: Success Story

A critical element in achieving this goal is victim/survivor support, which is essential for ensuring that victims receive the justice they deserve. In one notable case, a 16-year-old girl named Thazin was raped by a 23-year-old man in Hlaing Thar Yar township. Despite substantial evidence, the perpetrator received a sentence of only eighteen months of imprisonment, which was further reduced by the time he served in detention prior to trial. Thazin and her family felt that the sentence was unfair, given the severity of the crime and the significant evidence presented at court. In January 2018, Thazin and her parents consulted with Genuine People's Servants (GPS), a legal aid organization that received a grant from the Promoting the Rule of Law Project. A GPS attorney filed a motion with the court to enhance the rape sentence, and actively pursued the case on behalf of Thazin for two months. Thanks to the attorney's efforts, the motion was granted, and the perpetrator was re-sentenced to seven years in prison. This case highlights the importance of effective legal aid services in promoting access to justice and protecting human rights. GPS has been instrumental in providing legal services to victims of crime, including those affected by trafficking in persons (TIP). The organization has opened three branch offices in different townships, and has provided legal advice in 180 cases, procedural assistance in 100 cases, and submitted 20 complaint letters to government institutions. They have also provided legal representation in 90 court cases. The Promoting the Rule of Law in Myanmar project has been instrumental in supporting GPS's efforts to provide legal aid services to victims of crime. The project has awarded two grants to GPS to raise awareness and offer legal services, including one focused on TIP. GPS's work in promoting access to justice and protecting human rights has been critical in building trust between civil society and members of the community, who are often skeptical of the motives and skill of legal aid lawyers. The success of GPS in this case demonstrates the importance of effective legal aid services in promoting access to justice and protecting human rights. The organization's commitment to providing sound legal reasoning and effective trial skills has been instrumental in achieving justice for victims of crime. The Promoting the Rule of Law in Myanmar project's support for GPS has been critical in enabling the organization to provide legal aid services to victims of crime, and has helped to promote access to justice and protect human rights in the country.