Some critics believed that the executive interfered with the judiciary. Legal experts noted concern about overt manipulation of the judiciary as well as political influence over the Commissioner of Police, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Anticorruption Tribunal. The judicial system consists of the Supreme Court, which has appellate powers, and a series of lower courts. There are no political or military courts. The judiciary provides citizens with a fair judicial process.
Defendants have the right to private or court-appointed counsel.
The 1995 draft dangerous drugs act, which would permit law enforcement authorities to hold suspected drug traffickers for up to 36 hours without access to bail or legal counsel, is being examined by a select committee before it is considered by the National Assembly. The constitutionality of the law may be questioned. There were no reports of political prisoners. The sanctity of the home is provided for in law and generally respected in practice. Search of personal property or premises is allowed only under clearly specified conditions by court order or by police action to stop a crime in progress.