Lubango: The head of the Angolan Bar Association (OAA) has proposed the urgent creation of an interdisciplinary commission by the Executive Branch to reform the justice system. Speaking to journalists in Lubango, Hula province, he emphasized that sector operators should be central to this initiative.
According to Angola Press News Agency, the OAA leader suggested that the commission include not only justice operators but also specialists from various fields such as anthropology, sociology, and economics. This diverse group would work to examine the efficiency of the legal system in Angola and propose practical solutions.
The head of the OAA expressed concerns regarding several issues, including confidentiality, conditions for inmates, the overuse of pre-trial detention, prison overcrowding, and food shortages. He underscored the need to focus on solutions, noting that the problems extend beyond the prison population to the overall efficiency of justice application.
He further explained that the independence of the courts is critical to enhancing the quality of legal professionals. He pointed out that access to justice should not be equated with mere access to the courts, as legal processes can often be lengthy.
The OAA leader highlighted that justice is not exclusively a state monopoly, emphasizing the importance of alternative dispute resolution methods such as arbitration. These methods, he noted, require further development to effectively resolve conflicts outside of state courts.
Jos© Lus Domingos, representing the OAA, noted that the association is advancing in the arbitration court project, nearing the final phase of legalizing the first such court under their Order. This initiative is being developed in collaboration with the provincial council, taking into account necessary infrastructure considerations.
Lastly, he emphasized the importance of ethical training for the 14,000 lawyers in the country, stating that a lack of professional ethics among legal staff poses a significant threat to the justice system.
