DUSHANBE, August 10, 2012, Asia-Plus — With a grant from the International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL) Section of the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe, the Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia (EFCA) is launching a 14-month legal literacy program, which will produce and broadcast ten 40-minute episodes about the life and work of a lawyer defending the rural poor of Tajikistan, press release issued by the U.S. Embassy said.
The series will highlight the most common legal problems in the country, including alimony rights, underage marriage, inheritance, domestic violence, youth crime, drug trafficking, and corruption. The series will draw upon actual cases encountered by EFCA lawyers in Tajikistan, and will depict the legal process using professional actors to make the show both educational and interesting. Each episode will include explanations of the laws and legal principles depicted.
The TV series will introduce legal principles to local viewers in an accessible format. EFCA will distribute DVDs of the series to rural areas, universities, schools, community policing centers, and libraries throughout the country. EFCA will also use the TV series to facilitate discussions at the Tajik National University and Islamic Institute. After screenings, experts from the Tajik National University, lawyers from EFCA’s “Equal Before the Law” program, and NGOs will chair discussions in which students and teachers from secular and religious backgrounds will debate and offer solutions to the legal problems depicted in the show.
INL’s program will complement and enhance the EFCA’s “Equal Before the Law” program by raising legal awareness and helping citizens gain access to justice sectors. EFCA’s “Equal Before the Law” program began in July 2011 with support from the Government of Finland.
The United States Government is committed to continuing its support and assistance to the Tajik people. Since 1992, the U.S. Government has provided more than $984 million in assistance programs to enhance law enforcement and security systems, economic growth, democratic institutions, health care, and education in Tajikistan.
