Afrobarometer: Institutional Crisis, Declining Trust in Justice & Police Forces

A recent report by Afrobarometer, published on September 6, 2024, revealed a troubling trend in Mauritius: a gradual erosion of public confidence in the judicial system and police force. The report highlighted a pervasive perception of corruption throughout society, raising serious concerns about the integrity of these essential institutions.

The Afrobarometer study drew attention to a significant institutional crisis that emerged in 2023, marked by a conflict between the Commissioner of Police (CP) and the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) over their respective powers.

This conflict was notably ignited by the controversial bail release of several high-profile individuals, including Bruneau Laurette, Akil Bissessur, his partner Doomila Devi Moheeputh, and former Mauritius Telecom CEO Sherry Singh, among others.

The public’s perception of the police force has been severely impacted by allegations of corruption, arbitrary arrests, detentions, and claims of “drug planting.”

These issues have contributed to a growing skepticism regarding the effectiveness and fairness of law enforcement.

Moreover, the report shed light on the public’s feelings about the judicial system.

Concerns have been raised regarding the decisions made by judicial bodies, the accessibility of justice, the delays in concluding trials, and the potential for political interference.

Among the survey’s findings, one key conclusion is that the administration of justice must be consistently independent, transparent, and fair.

It is essential that judicial decisions be made without outside influence in order to ensure the impartiality of institutions and to enable citizens to seek redress with confidence.

The report indicated a marked decline in trust in both the justice system and police forces over the past decade, largely attributed to widespread perceptions of corruption.

A significant portion of the Mauritian population believing that judicial decisions are susceptible to political influence, undermining confidence in legal outcomes.

Additionally, many Mauritians remained unaware of the legal aid services available to them.

While some citizens believed they can access the courts, others doubt that the rulings will be just or proportional.

A substantial number of respondents felt that the law is applied unevenly, with a prevailing belief that government officials are unlikely to face penalties for wrongdoing and that the sentences handed to influential individuals were often overly lenient.

These findings sent a powerful message to legal practitioners and authorities, emphasizing the urgent need to uphold the independence and impartiality of the judiciary while improving access to justice for all citizens.

Source: Defi Media