Judge in charge of the High Court Mediation Centre, Hon. Zahra Maruma (middle) with her team taking a group photo with Erick Mukiza, Executive Director of ESS (Second from left), Senior Judge Hon. Arufani Kweka, Senior Judge Hon. Angela Bahati, Deputy Registrar Hon. Augustina Mmbando (first from right) and other senior judicial officers
The Tanzania High Court Mediation Center is advancing its services by incorporating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to better serve clients, particularly people with disabilities. This initiative aims to help them resolve various disputes and secure the rights they may have struggled to attain.
The leadership of the Mediation Center, under the guidance of Hon. Judge Zahra Maruma, recently held a meeting with Mr. Erick Mukiza, the Executive Director of ESS Creative & Legal Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization dedicated to conflict resolution for individuals with special needs. The meeting focused on improving the Center's services through technology, specifically within the framework of a program known as "Empowering Deaf and Hard of Hearing Women in Tanzania: A Campaign for Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)."
During the discussion, Hon. Maruma expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration, noting the valuable expertise Mr. Mukiza gained in the United States of America, where mediation for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals is conducted with high efficiency using tech inclusive solutions.
"We are ready to embrace technology in our mediation processes, especially to support individuals with special needs, such as our colleagues who are deaf or hard of hearing. Effective communication is crucial in facilitating access to justice, and those with hearing challenges often face significant difficulties in presenting their arguments and claims," said Hon. Maruma.
Traditionally, these individuals have relied on sign language interpreters to communicate. However, the technology being proposed offers a solution that can enhance the quality and timeliness of justice delivery not only at the Mediation Center but across the Court system.
Judge Maruma pointed out that the use of technology could significantly reduce the costs associated with hiring sign language interpreters, who are often in short supply. "This technology will help ensure clarity in communication and build trust in the Court process, as it can convert speech to text and text to speech. This ensures that Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals fully understand the proceedings and are accurately represented," she added.
The integration of this technology is expected to streamline the judicial process, reduce costs, and allocate resources more efficiently. "The savings from reduced interpreter costs can be redirected towards other national development initiatives," Judge Maruma emphasized.
She concluded by highlighting that, as a leader in the use of technology, the Tanzanian Court system is well-positioned to adopt this innovation. The proposal will be presented to the higher leadership of the Tanzanian judiciary for further discussion, with the goal of aiding judges and magistrates in their daily work, particularly when dealing with stakeholders who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. This aligns with the Court's mission to deliver timely justice.
Hon. Judge Angela Bahati also praised Mr. Mukiza's efforts, stating, "We are eager to collaborate with you to ensure the success of this initiative, not only at the Mediation Center but throughout the Court system. Our primary objective is to facilitate the swift and timely delivery of justice."
Hon. Judge Arufani Kweka echoed these sentiments, noting that the introduction of this technology will positively impact conflict resolution for those with special needs. "This technology will expedite proceedings, thereby simplifying the entire justice process and serving as a catalyst for national economic growth," he said.
Hon. Judge Kweka also highlighted the importance of this technology in restoring confidence among individuals with special needs who may have been hesitant to pursue justice due to communication barriers or the costs of hiring interpreters.
"This has been a significant challenge, leading to a loss of faith in the justice system. With this technology, Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals will no longer face such barriers, and they will have a clear understanding of their rights and the legal processes involved," Judge Arufani explained.
Deputy Registrar of the High Court Mediation Center, Hon. Augustina Mmbando, expressed her gratitude to Mr. Mukiza for bringing this expertise to Tanzania, which she believes will help reduce the backlog of cases. "With this technology, the need for interpreters will decrease, allowing us to resolve cases more efficiently," she said.
In his remarks, Mr. Mukiza shared that his expertise in mediation using technology was gained in the United States, where he observed how it enhances conflict resolution for individuals with special needs. He expressed confidence that introducing this technology in Tanzania would restore lost confidence and help the Tanzanian Court deliver timely justice while reducing case backlogs.
"This technology is ready, and I am prepared to provide it to you. Once the discussions are finalized and agreements reached, I will hand it over to the Tanzanian Court to help address the challenges faced by individuals with special needs," Mr. Mukiza concluded.
Written by the ESS Creative & Legal Foundation Team
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