IAWJ 12th Biennial Conference 2014 Arusha, Tanzania

The Conference was entitled “Justice for All” and was opened by the Chief Justice of Tanzania, the Hon.  Justice Othman, who introduced Dr Kikwete, the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr Kikwete  who gave the opening address. His speech concentrated on the reform of the justice sector. While he has  been President, 46% of appointees to the High Court have been women. He told us there is a move to  modernise the old colonial laws and procedures to make them more appropriate to modern-day Tanzania.  They are building courts and establishing court administration services. They are working for an increase in  the number of lawyers because there is a very low proportion of lawyers to the population, particularly in  rural areas. Dr Kikwete recorded the country’s commitment to human rights and to remove discriminatory  laws, particularly affecting women and children, from the legal system.