Source: Tanzania Daily News
THE Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) and the Police Force yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) as part of its commemoration of 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

Deputy Director of Criminal Investigation, Mr Isaya Mngulu, said that the memorandum would help the police to have first-hand information at a required time and take measures early to overcome harms which are easily controlled.

"The memorandum does not mean we were not collaborating with LHRC before but what we are doing is to strengthen our ties," he said.

According to Mr Mngulu, already the two had been collaborating in various ways through information sharing on human rights violations, where several cases had been solved owing to the collaboration.

Mr Mngulu further said the move would help them to collaborate in other areas including crime prevention, extrajudicial killings as well as mob violence. "As this is the period of reforms in the police force, it is important for the police to focus on expertise, including human rights."

Expounding further, he said the incidents of mob justice had to be brought to an end by all means and strict legal action taken against anyone who violated it as it is not acceptable even before God.

LHRC Executive Director, Dr Hellen- Kijo Bisimba, said everyone was responsible for the fight against GBV and it should not be perceived that only certain people were responsible for it. Dr Kijo-Bisimba added that some people endured cruelty even though what they were going through was criminal.

She said the memorandum would be at every police post countrywide and would guide them whenever they faced difficulties in fulfilling their duties.

• Tanzania