Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs (Attorney General’s Office)
The Ministry of Justice and Legal Affairs serves as Mohéli’s guardian of the rule of law, ensuring that justice is accessible and fair for all citizens. Although the judiciary in Comoros is primarily organized at the Union level, this ministry represents the justice system on Mohéli and handles the island’s legal administration and advisory needs. It often doubles as the Attorney General’s Office for Mohéli, meaning it represents the state in legal proceedings on the island. Key responsibilities include overseeing the functioning of Mohéli’s courts – the island hosts a Court of First Instance which handles civil, criminal, and commercial cases at the primary level, and there may be smaller magistrate courts or community courts for minor disputes . The ministry ensures these courts are staffed (judges, clerks) and that cases are processed without undue delay. It works with the Union’s Ministry of Justice for appointments of magistrates to Mohéli and for any higher court matters (e.g., appeals from Mohéli go to the Union Court of Appeal or Supreme Court in Moroni).
Within the ministry, the Legal Affairs department provides counsel to the Mohéli government. Before the Governor or island ministries implement policies or issue regulations, this department reviews them for legal consistency with both the Union constitution and Mohéli’s statutes. It helps draft local bills/ordinances to be debated in the Island Assembly and ensures they align with national law. Essentially, they act as the legal drafters for the island’s legislative initiatives and as advisors to ensure Mohéli’s autonomy is exercised within legal boundaries.
The Attorney General (or Prosecutor) for Mohéli is typically part of this structure. Prosecutors pursue criminal cases on behalf of society – for instance, if a crime is committed on Mohéli, the local prosecutor’s office, under this ministry, will bring charges in court and work to uphold public justice. The ministry might also oversee the island’s penal institutions (though actual prisons might be small; serious offenders could be transferred to larger facilities off-island if needed).
Another vital service is providing Legal Aid. The Ministry of Justice often coordinates programs where low-income individuals can get legal advice or representation either through a public defender system or partnerships with legal aid NGOs. On Mohéli, this might be a small office where people can come with grievances or confusion about laws (land disputes, family law issues, etc.) and receive guidance.
The ministry also runs public awareness campaigns about laws and citizen rights. For example, it might organize community sessions to explain new laws (say a new family code or land registration process) or to promote awareness on issues like the importance of birth registration (tying in with the Citizenship ministry). Additionally, it works closely with the Ministry of Internal Security on matters of law enforcement training – ensuring that police understand legal procedures and rights of detainees
