University of Debrecen, Hungary

Description

The Debrecen Legal Clinic started in 1997 through a partnership between the Hungarian Helsinki Committee (HHC) and the law faculty of the local University. The creation of the clinic was undertaken as part of the Open Society Justice Initiative (formerly known as COLPI) to create several clinics. At the time of the clinic's creation, the Ministry of Interior granted clinic students access to the police, border police and refugee reception institutions through a formal agreement between HHC and the Ministry of Interior.

The clinic has become an implementing partner of UNHCR. Apart from the close cooperation with HHC and with UNHCR, the clinic enjoys a positive relationship with Menedék.

The clinic accepts an average of four students each academic year. They are trained and guided by three teaching assistants and a legal practitioner. The students get involved in a variety of different tasks, including managing files, conducting legal research and preparing country of origin materials, interviewing asylum-seekers, preparing draft submissions, and providing legal counseling to asylum seekers.

The legal clinic is an optional course for which students receive academic credit.

Clinic Activities

Beyond the required coursework, the members of the clinic participate in the two-day workshops organized regularly by the HHC for legal practitioners, and the students involved with the three Hungarian legal clinics. They discuss new and problematic legal regulations as well as share experiences gained during clinic activities.

Academic year 2002/2003:

Contact information

Liszt Ferenc u. 4. II/14,
4024 Debrecen, Hungary

Tel.: +36 52 541 732/428 685
Fax: +36 52 534 754

Email: zekelaci@axelero.hu