TANZANIA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday officiated the opening of the 2024 Commonwealth Law Ministers Meeting (CLMM) in Zanzibar, with strong observation that modern technologies should be embraced to dispense justice.
She explained to delegates from 56 Commonwealth member states that Tanzania has been making significant progress in reforming the judiciary. She added: “Tanzania is fully committed to work with Commonwealth member states to achieve the goal…we witness fast development in technology as it is reflected in many aspects and sectors of the economy, such as business, agriculture and health to mention a few.
It is worth noting that the legal sector should not lag behind.” Equally, she told the gathering that the government is implementing and managing technology to provide legal services through web- based information systems.
Elaborating, the Head of State noted that the government also launched a massive campaign in the name of Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign (MSLAC), which involves the provision of legal aid and education to the citizens at all levels on constitutional and legal issues, access to justice, and cross-cutting issues concerning the citizenry: gender-based violence, violence against women and children, land administration issues, inheritance, dispute resolution including Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and human rights in general.
“As we convene today, we recognise the law’s critical role in fostering peace, stability, and development across our member states. In the legal framework, we establish serves as the bedrock upon which, our societies build trust, ensure accountability, and protect the rights of every citizen. “In the Commonwealth, we are bound together by our shared history and a common dedication to upholding the principles of justice, fairness, and equality.
Our commitment to these ideals is reflected in the legal systems of our member states, which seek to provide access to justice for all, irrespective of background or circumstance,” she pointed out.
President Samia said that this is well reflected in the theme of the meeting: “Technology and Innovation: How Digitisation Paves the Way for the Development of Peoples Centred Access to Justice.” She said the theme provides a better platform for law ministers from Commonwealth member states to discuss and deliberate for five days on how technology and innovation have potentially advanced equitable access to justice by creating more streamlined and accessible processes and ensuring the scalable, transparent, responsive, innovative, and data-driven transformation of justice systems.
“I have been informed that in this meeting, there will be a variety of issues placed on discussions to mention, but a few practical pathways to strengthening access to justice for disabled persons in the Commonwealth: How Digitalisation Paves the Way for the Development of People-Centred Access to Justice; Innovating for Justice: Showcasing Effective and Inclusive Approaches to Access to Justice; Mapping a people-centred Justice approach to access to justice; Facilitating collaboration and engagement across the Commonwealth: Democracy, Human Rights and the Rule of Law in Elections and Artificial intelligence and the Justice System’ Commonwealth Military Justice. She said in a world characterised by unprecedented challenges such as global pandemics, climate change, civil wars, socioeconomic differences, and the need for gender mainstreaming, the role of law remains crucial in addressing the said challenges.
Dr Samia said the legal community is responsible for navigating the challenges and finding solutions that are just, equitable, and sustainable.
In a related development, she thanked the CLMM organisers and the Commonwealth Secretary General Ms Patricia Scotland, for choosing Zanzibar for the meeting happening at the time when the world was characterised by unprecedented challenges such as global pandemics, climate change, civil wars, socioeconomic differences, and the need for gender mainstreaming.
On her side, the Minister for Constitutional and Legal Affairs, Dr Pindi Chana said the Commonwealth Laws Ministers Meeting acts as the platform for constructive dialogues and partnership among members toward collective promotion of justice.
“From promoting access to justice to strengthening legal frameworks, our discussion over the coming days will shape the future of law and governance within the commonwealth countries,” she said Dr Chana said the meeting also will assess the influence of digitalisation on observance of rule of law, human rights, and justice.
Briefing on the Tanzania’s status quo on justice, she said the government under President Samia Suluhu Hassan has made significant reforms in addressing criminal cases through formulation of the Presidential Criminal Justice Commission with responsibility to speed up justice delivery. She said similar efforts will also be allocated toward combating civil cases.
For her part, the Commonwealth’s Secretary General, Ms Patricia Scotland said masterly of the digital revolution is vital in exploiting emerging opportunities, including accelerating justice delivery among the member states.
Ms Scotland extended her condolence to Tanzania for the passing of the second phase President Mr Ali Hassan Mwinyi, who was laid to rest last Saturday.
She said the Commonwealth was standing with Tanzania on this difficult time of sorrow, praying for quick recovery.
She eulogised the late Mwinyi’s unwavering humility and stance in fostering economic revolution amidst international geopolitics tremor, citing the lift in importation of mobile phones and computers as among the key changer.
“We gather under the theme of technology and innovation and specifically on how can we harness them to enable access to justice for every citizen. I think the second president’s spirit breath with us in this room tonight” she said.
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