Nader Mohammed Al-Matrouh
Quote
“My motivation comes from a strong commitment to defending vulnerable groups who have faced severe injustice.”
About Nader
Nader Mohammed Al-Matrouh is a defense lawyer with more than 15 years of experience. He is committed to supporting vulnerable groups who have faced different human rights violations and have not received legal aid. His motivation stems from seeing how displaced individuals, returnees, and survivors of trafficking struggle to access legal protection due to discrimination or a lack of resources. During his time as Director of the Legal Support Center for Free Consultations (2018–2019), he witnessed firsthand how the absence of legal representation leaves people exposed to unfair procedures and rights violations. He also worked at the Free Aleppo Bar Association and at the Syrian Initiative for Legal and Community Awareness.
The Challenge
Mr. Al-Matrouh identifies a few systemic issues that have an impact on the effectiveness of the justice system. Firstly, there is a lack of general awareness of legal rights among citizens and government employees. This limits people’s ability to claim their rights and institutions’ capacity to uphold them. Secondly, accused individuals frequently experience denial or delays in access to a lawyer, leading to possible violations during interrogation. Lastly, this situation is worsened for victims of sex trafficking due to discrimination.
The Innovation: The Surviving Diaspora
Mr. Al-Matrouh’s project focuses on improving access to justice for displaced individuals returning to Aleppo and for survivors of trafficking and other vulnerable groups. The project aims to provide legal advice through social media platforms, court visits, and office consultations, helping hundreds of people understand their legal rights. The project will also offer legal representation for detainees, including individuals convicted in absentia, a group that is often overlooked by traditional legal programs. Additionally, training programs for justice-sector staff aim to reduce procedural mistakes and promote more consistent and rights-based practices across courts, police staff, and investigative bodies.