In Ethiopia, refugees and asylum seekers can access free legal assistance.
What legal aid services are available?
- Legal information counselling on a range of issues such as the rights and obligations of refugees, access to courts, translation of judgements, decrees, or summons related to refugees made by courts of law or any other government agency etc.
- Preparation of legal documents such as statements of claim and statements of defence,
- Drafting of petitions and application letters to concerned government agencies on behalf of refugees.
- Support for refugees in their efforts to make use of alternative dispute resolution.
- In some selected cases, the representation of refugees before courts of law.
Additional legal services may be offered, depending on the case.
How do you access Legal Assistance?
If you are in Addis Ababa and need legal assistance, you can ask for legal assistance by calling:
- UNHCR call centre 0905012823 (If you are in Addis Ababa)
- Monday to Friday, from 8:30-17:00, except Friday until 14:00
If you are in Addis Ababa, you can access Addis Ababa University (AAU) free legal assistance in person from the following locations:
- Legal Aid Center, Addis Ababa University, 6 Kilo Campus
- Legal Aid Center, Federal High Court, Lideta
ATTENTION! You must present your refugee or asylum seeker document to access AAU free legal assistance.
I do not speak any of the local languages or English. Are there interpreters for me?
Yes. UNHCR employs interpreters to make services accessible for refugees from diverse backgrounds following the principle of non-discrimination.
UNHCR will make interpreters available to support refugee services in the urban programme. Where face-to-face engagement with interpreters is not possible, virtual conference calls and other virtual/remote technologies will be adopted.
