Starting on January 26, 2024, the Judiciary will operate a new Special Criminal Division of the High Court. Cases resulting from the application of the Government White Paper’s and the Truth Reconciliation and Reparations Commission’s (TRRC) recommendations will be tried locally by the Special Criminal Division of the High Court.

The establishment of the Special Criminal Division of the High Court is a significant step towards ensuring justice and accountability in cases related to the Truth, Reconciliation, and Reparations Commission (TRRC) and the government’s white paper. This is because this specialized court will ensure that those responsible for human rights abuses and atrocities are held accountable while also sending a powerful message to the victims and survivors that their voices will be heard and their experiences will be acknowledged.

The chief justice will assign judges to the division, whose responsibilities extend beyond TRRC cases, as it will also handle other criminal cases assigned by the chief justice and those falling under the jurisdiction of the high court. This ensures that justice is served and the rule of law is upheld in all matters within its purview.

By establishing a court expressly for TRRC cases, the government takes an essential step toward strengthening the justice system and preserving the rule of law in the country. The Special Criminal Division will supplement other executive and legislative measures in this direction.