Mustafa Abdulfattah Khalaf

About Mustafa

Mustafa Abdulfattah Khalaf is a defense lawyer working in Idlib with more than 10 years of experience. He is committed to strengthening justice and protecting the rights of vulnerable groups. His motivation to work in human rights comes from his belief that dignity and fairness must be upheld, especially in a context where daily violations affect people’s lives and trust in public institutions. Outside his work, he continues to study legal and human rights topics, especially issues related to transitional justice and vulnerable populations. He also volunteers in community initiatives and writes short legal analyses to contribute to public understanding of justice and human rights.

The Challenge

Mr. Khalaf finds that the lack of public awareness of legal rights has restricted access to justice. Furthermore, the refusal or delay in accessing qualified legal representation has increased the number of violations during arrests and during the interrogation period. Mr Khalaf also finds that the lack of protection for people living with HIV/AIDS in the criminal justice system has created a discriminatory system where they risk victimization and unjust criminalization.

The Innovation: Toward Effective Legal Awareness: Promoting Legal Culture and Criminal Justice in Local Communities

Mr. Khalaf’s project aims to improve access to justice in Idlib by combining legal awareness with early legal representation. Through workshops, simplified materials, and awareness sessions, citizens and detainees learn about their rights and how to seek legal assistance. In addition, the project works to establish a network of specialized lawyers who can provide early legal representation, particularly for individuals with limited income and those who are most at risk. The project also promotes cooperation with judicial and human rights bodies to help defendants access lawyers faster during investigations and court procedures.