Maputo — Mozambican Prime Minister Aires Ali reiterated on Wednesday that access to justice in good time for all citizens is an indispensable condition for the promotion of peace, security and development in any society.

Speaking in Maputo at the opening of the 12th conference of Ministers of Justice of the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP), Ali said it was the duty of states and governments to ensure that conditions exist for the effective exercise of the right of citizens to access to justice.

"Access to justice is thus an imperative which arises from its enshrinement in our Constitutions", he added. "The guarantee of access to justice is the bedrock for ensuring the juridical security of citizens".

The meeting is being held under the theme "Alternatives to Imprisonment and Legal Aid for Citizens". Ali said he hoped that the matters discussed at the Conference will have a positive impact to the benefit of the citizens of CPLP member states.

Ali called for a transformation of criminal law and a humanization of the prison system, so that, even when convicted of offences, citizens can continue to make a contribution to society.

The modernisation of penal codes, he added, should ensure an ever greater use of penalties that did not simply deprive people of their freedom.

These conferences are held once every two years. As this year's host, Mozambique becomes the new chair of the CPLP Justice Ministers, taking over from Guinea-Bissau.