Arba Minch University by passionately indulging in altruistic endeavor has reiterated that it’s not merely an institution of physical nature; but has a heart that palpitates for poor and needy!

In a move to heighten its many community service initiatives, AMU has recently set up two special Legal Aid Cells in Arba Minch; one at Gamo Gofa Higher Court, Secha and another one at Arba Minch City First Instance Court, Sikela.

These two cells are being operated by university law students who render freebie legal aid advices to women, children, HIV/AIDS carriers, physically-challenged and old people alike.

AMU Law faculty members including Dereje Mammo and Molalign Tsegaye have time and again represented the needy clients in the court of law to plead their cases.

To bolster the initiative further, the Law Department from the College of Social Science and Humanities at Chamo Campus has embarked upon an awareness building drive on legal issues for the communities in and around Arba Minch City via FM Radio program.

Recently, AMU has inked a yearlong agreement with Radio FM 90.9, to air legal-aid program of 30-minute duration called ‘Yehig menged’ (way of law) on every Saturday from 10.30 am to 11 am. The concept belongs to AMU and Radio FM takes care of technical part.

‘‘Program is primarily being aired in Amharic language across Gamo Gofa zone that includes Arba Minch town, Arba Minch Zuria, Boreda, Bonke, Chencha, Demba Gofa, Dita, Deramalo, Geze Gofa,  Kemba, Kucha, Melokoza, Mirab Abaya, Oyda, Uba Debretsehay, Zala, Basketo Special Woreda & Segen Area, People’s Zone. In future, the program may be aired in different local languages,’’ Mr Dereje Mammo informed.

To assist those deprived of justice who can’t afford lawyer’s fees, the department focuses on the legal matters including family law, law of succession, free legal service/aid & law of civil procedure affecting their lives and others.

As per the arrangement, AMU law faculty members are being interviewed by Radio FM on aforesaid issues. Thereafter, program is aired in question-answer format on issues of marriage, divorce, maintenance, alimony, distribution of property and many more.

While making people aware about certain legal issues, they are also being taught to respect the law by following rules and regulations. They are being educated as to what is legal and how it gets infringed thus inviting punishment ranging from monetary fine to jail-term.

They are sensitized to abide by legal prerequisites i.e. marriageable age shouldn’t be below 18. How divorce is attained, what are the rights of women, how to fight for alimony, maintenance and property rights etc.

On Law of Succession, what is one’s natural right being the legal heir and how property gets transfer in case of testate and intestate. On Law of Civil Procedure, what is jurisdiction, party to suit, third party, appeal process, pleading, trial process and execution are being exemplified in easier terms for the general masses. In the coming weeks other issues on legal matters will be presented.

The department also urges entire university community to listen the program and contribute something towards its improvement.

By Philips Joseph