Chief Justice calls Judiciary to prioritize victims’ rights in sexual violence cases
Chief Justice Prof Ibrahim Juma speaks during the opening of a one-day high-level judicial symposium on victim-centred criminal justice, held at the PSSSF Conference Hall in Dodoma on February 1, 2025. PHOTO | COURTESY
Dodoma. Chief Justice (CJ), Prof Ibrahim Juma has insisted the importance of a victim-friendly criminal justice system that protects survivors of sexual violence throughout legal proceedings.
He made these remarks while opening a one-day high-level judicial symposium on victim-centred criminal justice, focusing on sexual violence and trauma, on February 1, 2025, held at the PSSSF Conference Hall in Dodoma.
The symposium, organised by the Institute of Judicial Administration Lushoto (IJA) in collaboration with the Irish Rule of Law International (IRLI), was funded by the Embassy of Ireland in Tanzania.
“It should be clear to all of us that criminal justice is not just about laws and procedures. It concerns people’s dignity, fostering healing, and creating hope. By working together, we can build a justice system that truly serves its people, ensuring no one is left behind,” said the CJ.
He also praised Ireland’s well-established criminal justice system, which prioritises the rights of survivors of gender-based and sexual violence, stressing that Tanzania should draw lessons from Ireland’s approach.
Furthermore, he noted that the symposium offers a platform for participants to exchange practical experiences and expertise on victim protection, referring to the 1985 United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power, which advocates for justice, compensation, and respect for the dignity of victims.
In his welcoming remarks, the IJA Principal and Court of Appeal Justice, Dr Paul Kihwelo, explained that the symposium brings together justice sector stakeholders to discuss the rights of sexual violence victims.
He pointed out that the judiciary often focuses primarily on the accused, neglecting the well-being of the victim before, during, and after the trial.
The representative of the Embassy of Ireland in Tanzania, Ms Danai Lazaris, remarked that Ireland’s participation in the symposium reflects its commitment to prioritising the rights of survivors of sexual violence, especially women and children.
Meanwhile, the IRLI executive director, Ms Maria McCloskey, highlighted the positive outcomes of the collaboration between Tanzania and Ireland, which has facilitated training aimed at preventing the re-traumatisation of sexual violence survivors.
This training has been conducted for Tanzanian judicial officers and other criminal justice stakeholders.
Participants in the symposium included Court of Appeal justices, High Court of Tanzania judges, senior officials from the Ministry of Constitutional and Legal Affairs, including the Permanent Secretary, magistrates of various ranks, social welfare officers, state attorneys, officers from the Police Gender and Children’s Desk, and representatives from the Tanganyika Law Society (TLS).
