Legal Empowerment of Marginalized Communities in East Nusa Tenggara: Access to Justice for Rural Farmers

Abstract

Introduction: In East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), rural farmers face significant challenges in accessing justice, particularly when it comes to land rights and agricultural disputes. Marginalized communities often lack awareness of their legal rights and have limited access to legal support.
Purpose: This paper examines the role of community legal services in empowering rural farmers in ENT by helping them secure legal protections for their land rights and navigate agricultural disputes. The focus is on understanding how legal services address the region's unique socio-economic and geographical challenges.
Method: The research adopts a case study approach, analyzing legal interventions provided by NGOs and local legal aid organizations. Interviews with farmers, community leaders, and legal professionals offer insights into the impact of these services.
Findings and Results: The study finds that legal empowerment programs significantly improve farmers’ ability to resolve land disputes and protect their rights, though issues such as legal illiteracy and geographic isolation remain obstacles to wider access.
Urgency: With land grabbing, unclear land tenure systems, and exploitation by corporations becoming increasingly common, ensuring that rural farmers have access to legal assistance is urgent to prevent further disenfranchisement.
Contribution: This paper contributes to the understanding of how legal services can empower marginalized farmers in remote regions, offering recommendations for scaling these interventions.
Recommendation: It is recommended that legal services focus on increasing accessibility through mobile legal clinics, community education, and stronger partnerships with local governments to build a sustainable model for legal empowerment in rural areas.