This week Izza Rizvi, a human rights lawyer, highlights the kind of work she and her fellow lawyers are doing in a bid to provide justice to commoners. Read on…
chambers of justice
In a world fraught with injustice and oppression, where justice and fairness seem reserved for those with strong representation, The Sindh Legal Advisory Call Center (SLACC) stands as a beacon of hope. SLACC is a joint venture of Law Department - Government of Sindh and Legal Aid Society (LAS). This government-affiliated NGO has emerged with the aim of supporting the underrepresented and underprivileged; this has been done through online legal consultancy services to the public. LAS panel comprises ten high court enrolled lawyers, serving under Justice (R) Arif Khilji’s supervision to accomplish the mission that Justice (R) Nasir Aslam Zahid first envisioned. Its mission, essentially, is to ensure that justice is accessible to all, regardless of their social or financial standing.
Working as one of the legal advisors at the LAS, our objective is significantly close to our hearts, and is fuelled with unwavering dedication i.e., commitment to justice for all, without discrimination. Every day, we listen to stories of the distressed and we sincerely try to understand the tears, agony, and fears of the speakers. Moreover, unlike paid lawyers, we believe in empowering everyone to stand for their rights; rather than profiting from their dependency on us, we encourage individuals to become their own advocates, and to present their cases with are assurance of us stoutly behind the scenes, persistent and steadfast.
Our services cover a broad spectrum of legal matters, encompassing personal and family issues, criminal cases, service and commercial disputes, and, most importantly, all forms of human rights violations. Here are some of our most eminent cases, showcasing how we serve as a hidden influence, and how all of us together have the power to bring change in society. Read on…
A particularly compelling case involved an elderly gentleman rendered physically, economically, and emotionally vulnerable. Tragically, he had been subjected to domestic violence at the hands of his own son, the very person entrusted with his care. In desperation, the man turned to LAS for support. Consequently, armed with our guidance and equipped with the relevant legal knowledge necessary to present his case, the old man found within himself renewed courage. With trembling hands but a heart steeled with resolve, he stood before the court: the judge rebuked the son. Thus, justice prevailed not only through the court’s intervention, or the unseen counsel that championed the old man’s cause, but most importantly, the man’s own voice, which ensured he was heard and his rights were protected.
Another case involving a senior citizen, this time a supervisor who had dedicated three and a half decades to a private-sector job, is a vital example here. At the time of the gentleman’s well-deserved retirement, he was denied his rightful gratuity funds.
This blatant injustice fuelled his desperation, prompting him to reach out to us. We, in turn, saw an opportunity to rectify a systemic flaw and guided him to challenge the very law that allowed such an egregious act.
Together, we embarked on a collaborative effort, crafting a petition. This document extracted key references from both constitutional law and relevant state statutes, building a strong case for our client. Fortunately, the court recognised the merit of our argument, declaring the petition ‘maintainable’, and paving the way for a just resolution. The act of fighting for such cases does not fit under the mere category of legal counsel - rather, we felt ourselves proud warriors fighting a battle for what’s right, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our client against a seemingly insurmountable obstacle.
A particularly moving story involved a couple embroiled in a bitter dispute, planning to get separated. Each parent, blinded by their conflict, and determined to part ways, overlooked the emotional deprivation their child would face, with one of the spouses reaching out to us to seek advice on child custody. We decided to take a different approach on the matter; we advocated for mediation and reconciliation, rather than dragging the couple, and their child, into a legal battle, emphasising the importance of the child’s personality development and emotional well-being.
Through our advice, the couple agreed to reconciliation. Hence, this case revealed that the best legal advice is sometimes not found in books, but in the wisdom of responsiveness, empathy and understanding.
To conclude, our work extends beyond simply providing legal advice; we strive to be advocates for the marginalised, a source of hope in their time of need. By bridging the gap between the law and those it serves, we work to empower individuals to fight for justice. The heartfelt gratitude, and the success stories we receive and see from our clients fuels our commitment to making a positive impact, and continue to do more.
