Rules recommended for Tanzanian police on domestic violence and the treatment of juveniles

Police handling of domestic violence disputes and the treatment of juvenile suspects were discussed at a meeting in Stone Town, Zanzibar, from 16 to 17 August 2007.

The Inspector General of Police in Tanzania, Saidi Ally Mwema, endorsed the event with a view to producing police Rules of Procedure, which will eventually be implemented throughout the country.

The meeting was organised following several consultations between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Zanzibar government, Zanzibar judiciary and civil society on the main challenges facing Zanzibar in promoting justice.

Two areas which arose from these consultations were additional legal safeguards to be applied by law enforcement officers when dealing with juvenile suspects, as well as the way the legal system handled domestic violence.

Following these discussions, the Commonwealth Secretariat drafted rules which were discussed and amended at the recent meeting in Stone Town.

“As soon as these rules are approved and the training has been given, both juveniles and domestic violence victims who come into contact with the legal system will benefit,” said Kevin Maguire, Legal Advisor in the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Division at the Secretariat.

Rules relating to police conduct towards juvenile suspects were agreed on, including determining juvenile status, informing parents and guardians, record-keeping, investigating and interrogating juveniles, and conditions of detention for juveniles pending court appearance.

Similarly a consensus was reached for domestic violence regulations such as police intervention at the scene, action to be taken when abuse is reported by telephone, initial police contact with victims, best approaches to investigation and interrogation, and the protection of victims.

Legal education for the public, especially concerning domestic violence and child abandonment, was also addressed at the meeting. It was agreed that citizens need to be better informed of their rights so they are more likely to contact police when necessary. A decision was made for legal education of the public to be explored as soon as the police Rules of Procedure have been implemented.

The Rules have been presented to the Inspector General of Police in Tanzania, for his approval.

Senior members of the Tanzania Police Force were present, as well as representatives from the Zanzibar Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, the judiciary of Zanzibar and the Zanzibar Ministry of Youth Women and Child Development.

Key Links:

• Legal Section
• Tanzania Country Profile