PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS FOR INMATES, SUSPECTS-HRC
ACCUSED persons and inmates should be helped to have access to fair administration of justice to enhance protection of their human rights, says the Human Rights Commission (HRC) chairperson Mudford Mwandenga.
Mr Mwandenga said that the commission had identified of 1,069 cases of human rights violations after investigations in selected correctional facilities across all the 10 provinces.
He said that the nature of identified cases of violations were related to 325 cases of delayed trials, 110 cases of delayed confirmation of orders for juveniles and 108 cases of right to apply for bail.
Mr Mwandenga was speaking during the dissemination meeting on the findings of investigations in detention and correctional facilities held at Radisson Blu Hotel yesterday.
“Others are 66 cases of delayed sentencing, 59 cases of delayed judgement, 27 cases of maladministration of justice, 27 cases of delayed deportation and 91 cases of delayed conveyance of juveniles among others,” he said. Mr Mwandenga emphasised the need to enhance access to justice by expediting the hearing of cases whenever presented before the courts. He said the many cases of human rights violations were of grave concern in the criminal justice sector which should be quickly addressed.
Mr Mwandenga pointed out that following the commission’s intervention, 532 cases were successfully resolved, representing about 50 percent success rate of redressing identified human rights violations. “The commission will continue to monitor efforts towards resolving the outstanding cases while the monitoring of detentions and correctional facilities is an ongoing activity of the commission,”
Mr Mwandenga said.
Mr. Mwandenga said delayed trials was another factor hindering enhanced access to justice. He urged all players in the criminal justice system to play their respective roles effectively and efficiently to afford suspects a speedy and fair trials in accordance with the law.
Mr. Mwandenga called on those in the criminal justice system to ensure that justice was not only done but seen to be done by all.