Africa Review
Sunday, April 07, 2013
Somalia has concluded a five-day conference that prepared way for judicial reform.
Initiated by President Hassan
Sheikh Mohamoud, the meeting brought together over 200 experts from
diverse backgrounds and interests.
In a communiqué issued at the
end of the meeting Friday, steps to be taken to help citizens attain a
credible justice system in Somalia were highlighted.
Some of the recommendations
included need for reorganising the judicial system and its
infrastructure in a way compatible with the new constitution and the
fresh governance in Somalia.
A post transitional government
was formed in September 2012 and its leaders are striving to initiate
various reforms including security, judicial and financial.
“Suggestions were made on ways
of consolidating a judicial system that protects the rights of the
citizens to enjoy justice,” pointed out the final report. It added that
the independence of the judicial organ was vital to deliver the required
fairness.
The conference also recommended
the formation of a justice services committee, a constitutional court
and a federal court. “The Army court must be empowered in order to
fulfill its specific duties,” indicated the communiqué, adding the
court’s legislations required revisions.
Suggestion was also made on the rebuilding and modernising the detention centres and prisons in the country.
Participants of the conference
also stressed the need for clear separation of powers, particularly
among the legislative, executive and the judiciary.
“Laws must be provided to
protect women, children and the disabled,” specified one of the
recommendations. It added that all facilitations must be provided for
women to take part in the judicial structure.
The conference attracted, among
others, representatives from the ministries, members of the federal
parliament, law experts from in and out of Somalia and judges from
various courts. Others included representatives from the police force,
prison custodians, civil society organisations, women associations,
universities, religious and traditional leaders.
A series of benchmarks and
milestones were laid down to ensure that the recommendations were
implemented in specific timelines.