The PAICV parliamentary group has expressed concerns over the ongoing challenges facing the justice sector in Cabo Verde, including case backlogs and delays. According to Gilson Cardoso, the group's spokesperson, the sector has "functioned and fulfilled its role," but still requires significant improvements. The party proposes reinforcing the judiciary with more magistrates and efficient management of state-provided resources to enhance the sector's response capacity.
Cardoso presented the party's assessment during a review of parliamentary sessions focused on transparency, governance, and the state of justice in Cabo Verde. He advocated for specialized magistrates in key justice areas to boost technical capacity and reduce case backlogs and delays. The PAICV also suggests recruiting more judges, prosecutors, and justice officials, as well as increasing the National Police and Judicial Police workforce to improve cooperation with the Public Prosecution Service in criminal investigations.
Cardoso emphasized that hiring law graduates for procuracies is insufficient to address case backlogs, as investigations require adequate prosecutors and police resources. He cited the Praia District Court as an example, where over 74% of cases are pending. Cardoso proposed relocating the Justice Palace from Platô to the former University of Cabo Verde facilities to enhance coordination between judicial magistrates and the Public Prosecution Service.
The PAICV spokesperson stressed the need for efficient management of human and material resources allocated to the justice sector. He argued that better resource management, rather than solely increasing investments, can help address the sector's challenges. Cardoso also supported specialized magistrates in key areas to strengthen the judicial system's technical capacity and reduce case processing delays.
Delays in delivering judicial decisions, according to Cardoso, negatively impact citizens and the country's economy. He advocated for strengthening judicial inspection and creating an inspectors' career path for both the judicial magistracy and Public Prosecution Service. Cardoso also opposed the Cape Verde Bar Association's proposal to merge the Sotavento and Barlavento Courts of Appeal, instead supporting the maintenance of two separate courts with reinforced magistrates and improved working conditions.
Cardoso justified his opposition to merging the courts by highlighting the differing needs of each court. He stated that the Sotavento Court of Appeal requires more magistrates and better structural conditions to handle its caseload, while the Barlavento Court has relatively few pending cases. The PAICV proposes reinforcing each court's resources rather than merging them.
The PAICV's proposals aim to address the justice sector's challenges and improve its efficiency. The party's stance on the justice sector reflects its concerns about the impact of delays and backlogs on citizens and the economy.
Key points
- PAICV proposes reinforcing the judiciary with more magistrates and efficient management of state-provided resources.
- The party suggests recruiting more judges, prosecutors, and justice officials to address case backlogs and delays.
- Cardoso opposed merging the Sotavento and Barlavento Courts of Appeal, advocating instead for maintaining two separate courts with improved resources.
