| SHARP
and UNHCR
SHARP as an implementing partner of UNHCR since 1999 has been
providing services to refugees and asylum seekers.
SHARP being tested partner of UNHCR has rendered
its services as partner in the screening process in the year
2001 in NWFP and later on huge repatriation program in the
year 2002 when largest Human population was repatriated to
Afghanistan soon after the fall of Kabul from Taliban Regime.
SHARP is also partner of UNHCR in providing
legal assistance and Advice and Legal Aid Center (ALAC) Project
since 2002 and through these projects served thousands of
Afghan Refugees and asylum seekers legally and through registration
as per mandate of UNHCR.
SHARP has a qualified team of lawyers working
in all the centers as well as supporting staff.
Advice and Legal Aid Centers (ALAC)
In the year 2002 when the repatriation of
Afghan Refugees was about to start, it was felt that some
centers are required where returnees could get information
about their country of origin (COI) before moving back to
Afghanistan. The other core objective was to help returnees
in their Legal and Protection issues. To serve the purpose
SHARP was assigned to establish Advice and Legal Aid Centers
(ALAC) in Islamabad, Rawalpindi and, Mianwali.
In 2005, UNHCR assigned SHARP to establish
ALAC in Lahore as well to provide free legal aid, information
about country of origin to the Afghan refugees living in Lahore,
Gujranwala, Sialkot, Kasur districts.
By 01 January 2007, UNHCR office in Karachi
was going to be closed. Therefore, during the last quarter
of 2006, UNHCR assigned SHARP to establish ALAC in Karachi
and provide free legal aid and information on country of origin
to Afghan refugees living in Karachi.
All these centers are actively rendering
services and so far thousands of Afghan refugees have been
benefited from these centers by seeking free Advice and Legal
Aid. These centers are also playing a vital role of bridging
the communication gap between Afghans refugees and the concerned
authorities, thus making them aware about the international
legislative framework regarding refugee rights.
The basic strategic plan of SHARP’s
ALAC centers includes early intervention, outreach activities
and the provision of legal aid. The activities carried out
in this connection include visits, coordination meetings,
legal camps, seminars and workshops.
Legal Assistance Project (LA)
In Pakistan Refugees and Asylum seekers (Afghan
& Non Afghan) have no access to any form of free legal
assistance on their status and durable solutions. SHARP, as
an implementing partner of UNHCR has contributed in extending
legal protection to Afghans and Non-Afghan asylum seekers
/ refugees by registering their claims for Refugee Status
Determination (RSD) in accordance with procedural standards
of registration under the UNHCR mandate.
Counseling of Refugees / Asylum Seekers:
Under the same project SHARP has been facilitating the refugees
in terms of counseling regarding their cases decision. This
additional task was entrusted with the Legal Assistance Project
in February 2005 by the UNHCR. SHARP is also extending its
services to beneficiary population who are in need of counseling
about their status at any stage of their case. The LA staff
guides the refugees and asylum seekers regarding their cases
decision, meaning of appeal (in case of first instance rejection),
procedure and how to file appeal.
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