Isabel Barter
Operations Manager
t:+44 (0)20 7717 1573
info@protimos.org

South Bank Technopark
90 London Road
London
SE1 6LN

International NGO

Mohale Dam
Katse Dam

Protimos is a group of lawyers who work to provide legal assistance and education for indigenous and marginalised communities in the developing world. We respond to requests for help from communities where the law can be used to prevent or rectify the unlawful exploitation of their natural resources and cultural heritage.

By training lawyers, supporting litigation, and running workshops, Protimos assists communities in the assertion of their legitimate rights. We build the legal capacity of affected communities, enabling them to advocate effectively for themselves in their dealings with government and business. Legal empowerment enables communities to derive economic benefits from their natural resources and gradually emerge from poverty.

Protimos is working, in partnership with local NGOs, South African attorneys, and community representatives, to seek compensation and damages for the communities whose homes and livelihoods have been destroyed by the construction of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.

Thousands of people have yet to receive any, or any adequate, compensation which they were promised over ten years ago. The law states, both internationally and domestically, that a project-affected person is entitled to the same or an improved quality of life as a consequence of the development.

As well as providing legal assistance in the form of negotiation and litigation, Protimos is training local lawyers in public interest law, and educating the affected communities on their legal rights, so that they will be able to defend their rights effectively in the future.