Eritrea’s Ministry of Justice is headed by Ms Fawzia Hashem, who has held the position since it was created.
The primary role of a Minister of Justice is to uphold the constitution, the nation’s supreme law. The job description includes ensuring that all citizens including the government officials, maintain the integrity of the constitution and all subsequent laws are consistent with it. But there is no constitution, so she can’t do that.
Secondly, the Minister of Justice is expected to oversee the Justice System: manage the legal framework, ensuring laws are developed, implemented, and enforced effectively to maintain order and fairness. But that is the job of National Security.
Thirdly, it is to develop legislation: draft and propose new laws to the National Parliament. But there is no national parliament.
Fourthly, it is to supervise judicial operations by overseeing the entire court system, to ensure judicial independence, efficiency and access. That job is diffused in a country where every general runs his own prison system and the rest are run by the National Security Director.
Fifthly, it is to direct agencies such as prisons, prosecution services… never mind: see above.
Sixth, it is to provide legal counsel to the government to ensure that governance aligns with the rule of law. This is not necessary when the government is the law.
Seventh, it is to represent the nation internationally by engaging in global discussions, including treaties and human rights frameworks, to represent the country’s legal stance. But when you have an entirely different definition of human rights–food, shelter, healthcare–you don’t want to waste your time discussing civil liberties.
Eighth: Other Duties As Assigned. Show up to events that require showing the face of the government as ethnically and gender mixed. And, on that, she does a fine job because all she has to do is stand and breathe.
Part 1 of Many—we will cover all the other ministries using their job descriptions.
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