The Ombudsman reported that the budget allocated for the promotion of human rights was increased from N$ 400 000 (US$ 47058, 800) in 2004 to N$ 1 200 000 (U$ 120 000) in the year 2011/2012. The personnel complement of the Office of the Ombudsman was further increased in 2013 in order to capacitate the Ombudsman with the necessary staff to assist him in the execution of his mandates. A specific division was created on the staff establishment of the office to provide for a Children’s Advocate. Legal practitioners and a social worker will assist the Children’s Advocate. This section will assist the Ombudsman in carrying out its constitutional human rights mandate. The Northern Regional office of the Ombudsman was temporarily hosted in the Oshakati Magistrate’s court until December 2013 when the personnel moved to a newly build office complex. There are currently 3 permanent regional offices for the Ombudsman with a further two offices planned to be established in the next 4 years. The personnel of the Office also conducts intake clinics throughout Namibia and have about 150 visiting points to take services to the people of Namibia. During these visits Correctional Service facilities and Police detention cells are also visited. 6.3 Ministry of Justice The Government established the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (IMC), a technical committee comprised of officials from line Ministries and Agencies who are charged with the responsibility to compile information for preparation of Namibia’s periodic reports on the implementation of international human rights conventions/treaties to which Namibia is a State party. The objectives of the IMC is to advise and assist the Government in implementing and spreading knowledge on the international human rights and international humanitarian law (IHL), and to make recommendations for amendments to the existing law to give effect to the obligations of the State Party. The Ministry of Justice also has a Directorate of Legal Aid which is established to administer legal aid scheme pursuant to the Legal Aid Act No 29 of 1990. This Directorate has an obligation to render free legal aid in both civil and criminal cases. The criteria for granting legal aid are the level of income and the merits of the case as determined by the regulations adopted by the Minister of Justice. A person can apply for legal aid if he/she cannot afford the services of private legal practitioners. An applicant may be provided - 25 -