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Tanzania
- Judicial Corruption
The Tanzanian Supreme Court is working
with ISDLS to design the world's first anti-corruption court. The court will be
the first step in a nationwide plan to increase transparency in the legal process
and to eliminate judicial corruption; future phases also include an automation
and computerization project to increase transparency and efficiency. Once implemented,
the Tanzanian anti-corruption court will serve as the national model for Tanzania,
and will provide an international model for developing countries seeking a mechanism
to address and counter judicial corruption.
To design the anti-corruption
pilot project, ISDLS will work with a Tanzanian Legal Study Group to clearly define
the court's disciplinary and complaint procedures, and establish roles and responsibilities
(including a commitment from the Office of the Attorney General to prosecute cases
of corruption in the pilot court). Assessment and evaluation procedures will be
codified, and a designated oversight committee will also be selected.
The
pilot project will begin with an educational effort. The judiciary, legal officers,
lay assessors, court clerks and administrators at the pilot courthouse will undergo
a one-week training session focusing on codes of ethics and conduct, and the responsibilities
and expectations for each office. This training will consist primarily of lectures
by Tanzanian and US experts, with the strong presence of the Attorney General's
office; these lectures will be videotaped, and may be viewed at any time after
the initial seminar, providing an ongoing educational resource. The training will
also include education aimed at the citizens of the area. They will be educated
about their rights, and what they should expect of a corruption free legal system.
The redesigned disciplinary and complaint procedures will also be described, and
complaint forms will be provided as the mechanism for reporting. In and around
the courthouse, posters will be put up, designating the area as a corruption free
zone, and advising how to report instances of corruption.
Once the pilot
is implemented, the disciplinary procedures will be carried out when necessary.
It will be the responsibility of the oversight committee to hold weekly meetings,
and make assessments about the effectiveness of the project. At the end of six
months to twelve months, there will be a comprehensive report generated through
the collaborative effort of the Tanzanians and the U.S. team to quantitatively
measure the effects of the pilot and the overall level of corruption. If the pilot
project is determined to be a success, an automation and computerization project
will be implemented to allow for better record keeping and increased transparency.
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