Majaliwa: Legal aid key to justice, equality, peace

DAR ES SALAAM: PRIME Minister Kassim Majaliwa has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering Tanzanians to access their fundamental rights and understand the law so they can defend themselves in cases of rights violation.

Speaking on Monday while representing President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the official launch of the “Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign” in Dar es Salaam’s Mbagala area, Mr Majaliwa told Regional and District Commissioners nationwide to actively promote the initiative.

The campaign, designed to help citizens resolve legal challenges by offering free legal services, will run for ten days, providing comprehensive legal aid across all districts and wards in the region. He said that the government’s broader goal is to build a society founded on unity, good governance, legal awareness and adherence to the rule of law.

“The government is determined to address the challenges Tanzanians face in claiming their basic rights. This campaign is crucial because it aims to eliminate misunderstandings, conflicts and disputes within our communities,” Mr Majaliwa said.

He noted that the delivery of justice requires the collective efforts of all stakeholders, including leaders, parents, communities, religious institutions, civil society organisations and citizens.

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“President Samia’s vision is to ensure that every Tanzanian receives timely justice without discrimination, fostering a society united under the rule of law. If each of us fulfills our responsibilities, we can build a nation proud of a fair and inclusive justice system,” he added.

Mr Majaliwa called on both public and private institutions, as well as development partners, to collaborate with the government to sustain and expand these efforts for the benefit of current and future generations.

He also urged Tanzanians to report any incidents of violence in their communities to the appropriate authorities without fear. “Whenever someone sees, hears, or suspects a violation of rights, it is their duty to report it promptly through the appropriate channels,” he stressed.

Speaking on the campaign’s theme –“Legal Aid for Justice, Equality, Peace, and Development,” Mr Majaliwa said it reflects President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s unwavering commitment to ensuring justice for all Tanzanians, regardless of their background.

“We hope that after these ten days, everyone will take on the responsibility of being a guardian and defender of the law, and will act whenever the law is violated,” he said.

The Prime Minister said that access to legal services is not only a basic right but also a driver of sustainable development. It resolves disputes, safeguards the rights of vulnerable groups, and promotes peace within communities.

He encouraged residents of Dar es Salaam to take full advantage of the free legal aid services being offered, aiming for at least 75 per cent of the region’s population to benefit during the campaign.

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Since its launch in 2023, the Mama Samia Legal Aid Campaign has provided legal education and assistance across the country—resolving cases related to family disputes, land ownership, inheritance issues and gender-based violence.

Mr Majaliwa noted that most complaints received so far relate to various forms of violence, both physical and psychological. He outlined several types of abuse being reported including physical violence such as severe beatings, burnings, public humiliation and forced alcohol consumption.

Others are sexual abuse including rape, defilement, unwanted touching and kissing without consent, psychological violence including name-calling, exclusion from social activities and verbal harassment.

He also listed economic violence, such as denying someone access to education or excluding them from development initiatives, especially people with disabilities and technological violence, which include leaking personal photos or spreading hate speech online, particularly targeting women.

He stressed that all these acts are criminal offences punishable by law and that proper enforcement can help prevent such abuses.

The Prime Minister said that the government has enhanced the investigative capacity of the police force to ensure faster case resolution and reduce case backlogs, allowing more citizens to access justice efficiently As part of the campaign’s implementation, Mr Majaliwa handed over Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment to the Tanzania Prisons Service.

The equipment—including 65-inch televisions, laptops, printers, cameras, and networking tools—is intended to improve communication between prisons and courts, thereby expediting legal processes for inmates.