The Namibia Paralegal Association (NPA) was established in 1998 and registered as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in 2003. The NPA is a non-profit, voluntary organization of individuals who provide community members with free services on matters pertaining to violations of their legal, civil, constitutional, and human rights.
NPA paralegals are trained Namibian volunteers who advise in a number of different legal areas:
- Labour and Employment/Workers Compensation
- Discrimination
- Family Law, including Marriage, Divorce
- Domestic Violence and Rape
- HIV and AIDS
- Wills and Inheritance
- Social Grants
NPA paralegals go out into the community and teach people about their rights. These paralegals give advice and at times bring the cases to human rights lawyers who take the cases to court through the Legal Assistance Centre. All this is done for free for those who cannot afford it.
Today, the NPA operates through an estimated 200 paralegals representing all thirteen regions of the country and actively serving their communities. The NPA has an Executive Committee consisting of nine members. The Executive Committee for 2011/2012 is comprised of the following members:
- Lucas Rumingu Kasera (Acting President)
- Nokokure ("Noko") Kariko (Secretary)
- Sibali Kgobetsi (Vice Secretary)
- Sonny Ndalumbumo (Treasurer)
- Ferdinand Muharukua (Deputy Treasurer)
- Jarcino Beukes, Mbaisana Tumbu and Karel Gui dao-oab (Additional Members)
With communities’ continued support, the NPA paralegals will continue to be a strong force helping people who historically have been denied justice, education, and resources.
An Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the NPA was held in Windhoek on 12-14 April 2012 with representatives from most regions. Ombudsman John Walters gave the Keynote Address and Professor Nico Horn gave a presentation on Constitutional Democracy in Nambia. At the AGM, paralegals were presented with a new Access To Justice Paralegal Manual that was prepared and published by the NPA, DLA Piper LLP (US), New Perimeter LLC, and the University of Maryland School of Law. The successful 2012 AGM and newly completed Access to Justice Paralegal Manual launch a new phase for the NPA as it continues to serve communities throughout the country.
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