USAID and Ombudsman Institute partner to expand access to free legal aid via 115 Hotline

Bishkek, Oct. 27, 2021 / Kabar /. On October 26, 2021, the Akyikatchy (Ombudsman) Institute of the Kyrgyz Republic, the USAID Jigerduu Jarandar project and Ferghana Lawyers Without Borders (FLWB) public association signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support the development of 115 Legal Aid Hotline. With the support of the Jigerduu Jarandar project, in 2021-2022 the Ombudsman’s hotline will provide citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic with legal aid and assistance in the form of free telephone consultations. Callers will receive assistance from qualified lawyers working under the Ombudsman’s Institute on a wide range of legal issues, such as land disputes, civil rights, citizens’ legal status, and family issues. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Ombudsman Institute, USAID’s Jigerduu Jarandar project and FVLWB reaffirms their existing two-year partnership aimed at supporting the functioning of the 115 Hotline. During the signing ceremony, Mr. Keith Simmons, USAID Kyrgyz Republic Acting Mission Director, expressed his gratitude to the Ombudsman’s Institute for its commitment and continuous efforts to guard the observance of human rights and freedoms in the country. "Increasing access to justice for all Kyrgyzstanis is one of the highest long-term priorities for USAID. I believe that our partnership with the Ombudsman Institute to provide legal consultations via the 115 hotline will contribute to this goal," he said. In turn, Ms.Gulnara Jamgyrchieva, Deputy Ombudsman of the Kyrgyz Republic, expressed her appreciation for USAID’s support and assistance to the Ombudsman Institute. “Thanks to the support from the USAID’s Jigerduu Jarandar project, we were able to improve the quality of the legal consultations, including on most difficult cases,” said Gulnara Jamgyrchieva. The Ombudsman’s 115 Hotline service was launched in 2015 as a service to protect children’s rights, and today it provides legal aid and assistance on human rights and fundamental liberties and freedoms. Each year the Hotline has received more than 8,000 calls from citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic including from those living/working outside of the country. The Jigerduu Jarandar project is funded by USAID and is implemented by FHI 360 including key partner the “Fergana Valley Lawyers Without Borders” CSO. The Project is supporting the efforts of Kyrgyz civil society organizations, their networks and leadership to strengthen civic participation in Kyrgyzstan.