Provincial, district officials open Rule of Law Center near Zharay to address legal needs in district

ZHARAY DISTRICT CENTER, AFGHANISTAN

09.13.2011

Courtesy Story

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division

ZHARAY DISTRICT CENTER, Afghanistan – Key legal officials from Kandahar province, along with the district governor of Zharay district, participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Sept. 13 of a new legal center built to address the need for a legitimate judicial system in Zharay district.

Jalat Khan, the provincial national security prosecutor, Judge Himat, the province’s chief judge, and Khalat Khan, the provincial attorney general, all attended the event at the invitation of Niaz Sarhadi, Zharay district governor. Col. Rahim Safi, a prosecutor for the Afghan security forces, also participated in the ceremony.

The legal center consists of three buildings that were constructed in just six weeks by soldiers with Combined Task Force Spartan’s 710th Brigade Support Battalion. Additionally, Afghan workers with the Civil Service Department painted the buildings and installed a brick courtyard in the center. New furniture in each building allows for a multipurpose workspace for prosecutors, as well as allowing civilians to settle minor grievances or address other legal concerns.

Maj. Jeremy Larchick, the legal adviser for Combined Task Force Spartan and designer of the buildings’ layout, said the center’s opening is meant to show Zharay citizens that their government is capable of securing justice throughout the area.

“The aim of the legal center is to build hope that future systems will protect its citizens and provide a means to facilitate and manage both criminal and administrative legal matters,” Maj. Larchick said.

After the government officials spoke during the ceremony, they cut a green ribbon at the center’s entrance, officially opening the legal center amidst a loud applause from both Afghan and coalition forces’ attendees.

For Larchick, the ribbon-cutting ceremony was more than a simple event; it was a step forward for the Afghan government.

“The opening of the legal center was more than just ceremonial. It provided much needed office and courtroom space for the legal assets of the district, as well as an outward symbol of the Afghan government’s commitment to addressing the local population’s legitimate judicial needs,” Larchick said

• Date Taken: 09.13.2011
• Date Posted: 09.21.2011 05:40
• Story ID: 77350
• Location: ZHARAY DISTRICT CENTER, AF