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Access to Justice

Maria Mercedes Gomez, 65, is a leader in her community in Honduras. They are resisting the construction of a hydro-electric dam without their consent.

Across the world, people’s fundamental freedoms are under attack. People are being oppressed, discriminated, silenced and even killed. Democracy is under threat. People are often excluded from decisions that affect them.

Thanks to your support, Trócaire’s Access to Justice programme works to challenge these injustices. We empower women and men to challenge unjust power structures that keep them in poverty. To claim their rights. To stand together and fight for justice and equality.

Why Access to Justice?

Every woman, man and child is born equal. We are all born with the right to a dignified life, free from injustice.

Poverty is more than the absence of material goods. Poverty can be the absence of opportunity, a lack of power, a lack of voice and a lack of control over one’s life.

Trócaire works with people whose fundamental freedoms are denied. They live in fear of those in power.

In many countries, injustices and inequalities are becoming more widespread. Governments restrict local organisations. They target community leaders and activists. They intimidate, harass, imprison and even murder.

More than 300 community leaders were killed in 2019 alone. 40% of those killed worked on land, indigenous peoples and environmental issues.

Inequality is growing wider, and many countries have weak governance. Power has shifted away from democratic governments and institutions. Often transnational entities, such as large corporations, have greater power than states. This affects state accountability and citizen participation.

In many countries, injustices and inequalities are becoming more widespread. Governments restrict local organisations. They target community leaders and activists. They intimidate, harass, imprison and even murder.

More than 300 community leaders were killed in 2019 alone. 40% of those killed worked on land, indigenous peoples and environmental issues.

Inequality is growing wider, and many countries have weak governance. Power has shifted away from democratic governments and institutions. Often transnational entities, such as large corporations, have greater power than states. This affects state accountability and citizen participation.

How do we strengthen people's access to justice?

The right to access to justice is at the heart of what Trócaire does and who we are.

At the heart of poverty and injustice is an imbalance of power. Trócaire challenges this power imbalance.

Our approach involves supporting local organisations to engage those in power. To address structural issues that drive inequality, undermine rights and accountability. We advocate for more democratic and transparent governance.

We also challenge increasing restrictions on our local partner organisation to operate. It is critical for civil society to be able to challenge and hold governments to account.

Trócaire takes actions that contribute towards the strengthening of fundamental freedoms

  • We seek justice for survivors of violations and abuses
  • We support legal action for communities and leaders under threat
  • We provide physical accompaniment and protection for leaders and activists who are at risk
  • We prevent home demolitions
  • We document violations and abuses and challenge those responsible
  • We provide psychological support to survivors of violations and abuses
  • We empower marginalised people, especially women, to engage leaders and to demand accountability
  • We continue to support people who risk their lives to speak up for justice.

What impact are we having?

In 2023/24, our Access to Justice programmes supported 80,444 people in five countries (Guatemala, Honduras, Myanmar, occupied Palestinian territories and Israel (oPt-I) and Zimbabwe)


Legal support for community leaders

Stopping home demolitions

Documenting violations and abuses

Psychosocial support for victims

Community leaders

In Guatemala, 1,071 indigenous women assumed leadership positions in community/ partner organisations in 2022, working on resource rights issues.

Psycho-social support

In Zimbabwe, Some 93 victims of violations were supported with medical services, and 82 of these also received psychosocial support.

Protecting rights

Some 347 actions challenging impunity for violations were undertaken across our programmes in Guatemala, Honduras and oPt-I and over 9,000 actions were undertaken by citizens in Guatemala, Honduras, Zimbabwe and oPt-I

Legal support

In oPt-I, Trócaire’s partner organisation Haqel and St. Yves continued to support hundreds of families to stay in their homes or access and/or benefit from their land.

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