Commonwealth judges call for Gacaca model of justice

Commonwealth judges have encouraged countries to reduce the gap between the formal judicial system and informal systems to promote greater understanding of the use of the law by the citizens.Uganda’s Chief Justice Benjamin Odoki made the remarks at the 16th triennial Commonwealth magistrates and judges association conference (CMJA) which kicked off in Kampala yesterday.“We can similarly borrow examples from Rwanda which used Gacaca courts to deal with crimes the formal system could never have resolved,” he said.The courts, Odoki added, must promote the indigenisation of the law, so that the law reflects the settled values and norms of the community, particularly on matters peculiar to a given society.The meeting is bringing together over 300 judges and magistrates from 64 Commonwealth and independent countries.Chief Justice Sam Rugege is heading the Rwandan delegation at the conference taking place at the Speke Resort Munyonyo.In his opening speech, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said for the judiciaries to remain relevant in the 21st century, they need to carry out reforms that will address crimes like Genocide, international terrorism, and drug trafficking.“The judges and magistrates should give attention to the current international challenges with a need to clearly send a strong signal to the perpetrators that when arrested and tried, no mercy will be afforded to them but will accordingly be severely punished,” he said.The one-week conference running under the theme Justice for all, A Myth or Reality, will also among other areas discuss the independency of the judiciary, and justice in the post genocide Rwanda. Founded in 1970, CMJA strives to advance judicial independence, training, and cooperation in matters of interest and assistance, where expertise is needed.Uganda becomes the fourth African country to host this high level conference after Zimbabwe (August 1994), South Africa (November 1997) and Malawi (August 2003).The Queen of England Elizabeth II, in her capacity as the head of the Commonwealth, is the patroness of this association that is open to all judges, registrars and magistrates.

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Commonwealth judges call for Gacaca model of justice