Transcript Hussein Khalid Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) Mombasa, Kenya 1

Hussein Khalid
Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI)
Mombasa, Kenya
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Background of MUHURI
Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) is a Non Governmental
Organisation (NGO) based at the Coast of Kenya.
It began in 1997 to promote the struggle for
human
rights
amongst
grassroot
communities.
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Kenya and Drug Use
Drug use in Kenya, as is in most other
countries in the world, is illegal and
punishable by a fine, imprisonment or
both.
In Mombasa and the Coastal region in
general, drug abuse is the worst with
children as young as nine years old
hooked on drugs.
Majority of those who end up in conflict
with the law are drug users who get
caught up in the system.
70% of the total prison population are on
drug related cases.
To many, drug use is viewed as a criminal
issue and not a health condition.
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MUHURI’s Access to Justice Project
Works in 17 different prisons all over the region.
Provides legal assistance to prisoners on their cases
Conducts moot courts in prisons to build confidence
Follow ups and tracing of families and lawyers
Connects prison community with the outside world
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The Mombasa Legal Aid Clinic
In March 2012, MUHURI launched the Mombasa Legal Aid
Clinic with the goal of serving the greater public to understand
their legal rights.
The clinic utilizes paralegal officers and law students to provide
pro bono legal aid
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Why Legal Aid is Crucial in Dealing with
HIV/AIDS Amongst Drug Users?
Legal Aid for Drug
Users
Safeguards the rights of
individuals to health care
Entry point to treatment
including harm reduction
Decongests Prisons
(which is a major centre of
HIV/AIDS transmission)
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Key Steps in Legal Aid Provision Amongst Drug
Users
Screening
Tracing
Introduction to treatment and legal assistance
Legal assistance and linking with key justice actors including probation and judiciary
Secure release and follow up to reduce recidivism
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Key Challenges in Legal Aid Provision for
Drug Users
1.
Stigmatisation
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Key Challenges Continued…
2.
Disabling Laws
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Key Challenges Continued…
3.
Police
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Key Successes
1.
Judiciary
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Successes
2.
Prisons
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Successes
3.
Harm Reduction Works
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For comments and further information, please contact or set up a meeting
at the venue pictured below in Mombasa, Kenya with:
HUSSEIN KHALID
Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI)
P.O. BOX 42261-80100, Mombasa
E-mail: [email protected] or
[email protected]
Website: www.muhuri.org
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