THE LRF
Our vision
"To attain social justice, an informed public in human rights and a sustainable human rights culture in Zambia."
We are motivated by the desire to see all Zambians, particularly the indigenous, vulnerable and excluded members of society to have access to the full protection of the law either as individuals or groups.
Our mission
The Legal Resources Foundation is a non governmental organisation anchored in human rights and principles of law advocates for a sustainable human rights culture throughout Zambia by empowering the people through the provision of legal aid services.
Our Core values
We are encouraged by the belief in fundamental human rights values and as such our day to day operations are directed by the following core values:
- Transparency and Accountability
Full disclosure and surrender of gifts received during the course of work to LRF. - Quality and Excellence
Quality delivery on mutually agreed undertakings and obligations. - Professionalism
Taking responsibility for agreed actions within the agreed time.
Providing leadership and ownership of LRF's corporate identity. - Humility
Humbleness in the course of executing LRF work, not to exhibit the "I know it all attitude." - Respect for diversity and equality of all persons before the law
Respecting, valuing and protecting the dignity and integrity of the poor, vulnerable and marginalized.
Our Approach
Go TopLRF employs a three (3) way intervention scheme to implement its programme. These interventions are complementary to each other with a shared view to improve social justice and aimed at strengthening the independence and integrity of both formal and informal justice systems while being responsive and effective to the needs of the underprivileged.
The approaches include:
i) Legal Aid - Since inception, legal aid forms the core function of the LRF and continues to provide the service through different interventions. LRF uses a human rights-based approach in its programming, drawing from the Constitution and international human rights instruments to emphasize many entitlements like individual liberties. Through litigation, LRF provides equal opportunities for access to justice for all by giving legal aid services at no cost to the underprivileged. This has seen many disadvantaged people make claims in the courts of law for infringement of a right through the Legal Resources Chambers. As claim holders they have been accorded the same opportunity as the duty bearers in responding to practical human rights concerns in the community or in detention places.
Paralegals Services are also employed essentially to empower lay people to work directly with the poor, marginalised, vulnerable and excluded people to address social justice and human rights. LRF is one of the initiators of provision of paralegal services in Zambia; it envisions a multifaceted approach to addressing problems, not purely judicial
ii) Information and Documentation - LRF documents and disseminates information on issues related to legal and human rights by identifying human rights violations, information gathering and monitoring some basic human rights and freedoms in the context of international laws.
The organisation contributes to a human rights culture that respects the rule of law and human values by educating the public on their rights through publication of the LRF Newsletter and Community Radio programmes. The newsletter is distributed on an international scale. It is also used as a source of information for human rights reports by missions represented in Zambia.
Other publications in form of booklets on various human rights issues are published and sold at a minimal amount.
iii) Networking - The Foundation associates with several local and international organisations, and existing human rights networks, primarily to establish synergies aimed at collaborative advocacy, raising awareness and exchange of information. Through these networks LRF participates in project activities which embrace its work in the promotion and protection of human rights such as Women’s Rights under Customary Law, Refugee and Asylum seekers and HIV/AIDS. This work is done through the Southern African Legal Assistance Network-SALAN whose secretariat is hosted by the Foundation.
Similar networking activities through continued collaboration and participation in human rights activities include providing legal backup to cases referred to the LRF by other organisations such as Zambia Aids Research Network (ZARAN), CARITAS-Zambia, Zambia Civic Education Association (ZCEA), Justice for Widows and Orphans Project (JWOP), Child Justice Forum, Zambia Federation of the Disabled, National Legal Aid Clinic for Women (NLACW), Women in Law in Southern Africa (WLSA), Non-Governmental Organisation Coordinating Committee (NGOCC), and the Paralegal Alliance Network (PAN) who also offer research expertise on issues of HIV/AIDS, Gender, Juvenile Justice, paralegal services and advocacy matters.
Organisation Structure
Go TopThe Board serves as the policy-making organ. Management oversees the implementation of the policies as passed by the Board. The professional staff serves under the Legal Resources Chambers a registered law firm, supporting staff-paralegals, journalists, legal secretaries and other support staff are involved in the implementation of the project activities of the Foundation.
The Lusaka office serves as the Secretariat with eight other provincial offices in Livingstone, Kabwe, Kasama, Kitwe, Chipata, Mansa, Mongu and Solwezi.
Board
The Board of LRF is headed by Mr. Robert Simeza as Chairman and he is deputized by Mr. Mabvuto Sakala. Other members include; Ms Margaret Chalwe, Mr. Clement Tafeni and Gideon Kafwelu. The members head different sub-committees namely; Legal Aid, Finance, Human Resource and Resource Mobilisation Committees.
Donors and Partners
LRF receives funding mainly from:
- The Royal Norwegian Embassy
- The Embassy of Sweden
- The Finnish Embassy
