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the Respondent State does not contest the indigence of the Applicant nor does
it argue that he was financially capable of getting a legal counsel. ln these
circumstances, it is evident that the Applicant should have been afforded free
legal aid. The fact that he did not request for
it does not exonerate
the
Respondent State from its responsibility to offer free legal aid.
87. As regards the allegations of the Respondent State relating to the margin
of
discretion that should be available to States in the implementation of the right to
legal aid, its non-absolute nature and the lack of financial capacity, the Court is
of the opinion that the allegations are no longer relevant in this case, given that
the conditions for the mandatory provision of legal aid have all been met.
Accordingly, the Court holds that the Respondent State has violated Article
7(1)(c) of the Charter.
B. Alleged violation of Article 13(2) and (5) of the Constitution of Tanzania
88.
The Applicant contends that Sections 130(2) (e) and 131(2)(a) of the Tanzanian
Penal Code dealing with Offences against Morality that formed the basis for his
conviction clearly violate Article 13(2) and (5) of the Tanzanian Constitution.
89. The Respondent State contests this allegation by arguing that the acts committed
by the Applicant fall under the definition of the crime of rape, as perthe sentence
of the trial court, which was upheld by the two appellate courts.
***
90. The Court observes that it is not mandated to assess the constitutionality of a
specific national legislation. However, this does not prevent the Court from
examining the compatibility of a particular domestic legislation with international
human rights standards established by the Charter and any other international
human rights instruments ratified by the Respondent State.le
le See para.29 of this judgment.
2L
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