On Friday, November 28, CEJA’s Executive Director, Nataly Ponce, and the Coordinator of Studies and Training, Rodrigo Nakada, held a working meeting with Diego Oliveira Silva, Director General of the National School of the Public Defender’s Office of the Union (DPU) of Brazil.

During the meeting, the institutions exchanged international experiences related to the defense of Indigenous peoples’ rights and discussed the importance of the role of public defense institutions in ensuring effective protection for populations in situations of vulnerability. They also explored avenues for cooperation aimed at strengthening access to justice and the defense of Indigenous peoples’ rights in Brazil, including the dissemination of good practices.

The Public Defender’s Office of the Union is the institution responsible for promoting the comprehensive defense of the fundamental rights of people in situations of vulnerability in Brazil. Its mandate includes the protection of individual and collective, social, economic, cultural, and environmental rights, as well as legal representation for refugees and asylum seekers, in line with its mission to guarantee effective access to justice.

The meeting made it possible to identify areas of common interest and opportunities to advance collaborative efforts that contribute to a more inclusive justice system that respects cultural diversity in the region. Both institutions agreed to enter into an interinstitutional cooperation agreement.

CEJA reaffirms its commitment to strengthening access to justice in the Americas and will continue to consolidate strategic partnerships to improve the quality, accessibility, and effectiveness of justice systems.