The UN member states seek to reform existing policy in order to increase accessibility to legal aid for indigent persons in criminal cases, taking into consideration the principles established under the General Assembly resolution 67/187. This is stated in the concluding declaration of the 13th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice which was adopted in Doha, on April 19.
In 2012, the General Assembly resolution 67/187 confirmed Principles and Guidelines in Criminal Justice Systems on Ensuring Accessibility to Legal Aid. This is the first international document which establishes basic principles and instructions for all the UN member states regarding criminal cases of the socially vulnerable and other people with specific needs in connection with provision of effective legal assistance.
Together with other countries, the initiator of adoption of the resolution was Georgia too which successfully develops its own legal aid system. Moreover, Georgia actively participates in international efforts the aim of which is to ensure accessibility to legal aid all over the world. In this regard, reflection of principles of the GA resolution 67/187 is one more important step to this direction.
The 13th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice took place in Doha on April 12-19, 2015. More than 4000 representatives from 149 countries attended the Congress. Georgia was represented by the Minister of Justice.