Since the genocide of 1994, where approximately one million people perished, Rwanda has made tremendous progress in many areas of social welfare. The country is one of the most noted examples, both globally and on the African continent, of fast economic growth and successful post-war reconstruction. Significant development successes over the last decade include high economic growth, rapid poverty reduction and, since 2005, reduced inequality. In addition to this, the country strives for strong political stability, as reflected in the adoption of a new Constitution in 2003. Rwanda is also known for having the highest female representation in Parliament compared to any other nation, with 64% of women in the Lower House.
IDLO is supporting the country’s progress by implementing a project aiming to strengthen the capacity of Rwandan defense lawyers in international criminal law, in order to provide them with stronger support for dealing with genocide court cases.
Statement by the Director-General, Jan Beagle at the Joint Conference of the East African Chief Justices’ Forum and the East African Judicial Education Committee
Honourable Chief Justices,
Members of the East African Judiciaries,
Distinguished Guests,
EVENT | 10-12 May | Kigali, Rwanda
Paralegal networks play a critical role in establishing a link between the informal and formal justice systems in the East and Horn of Africa.
REGIONAL WEBINAR
Access to Justice in the Context of COVID-19 in East Africa: Experiences from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda
East Africa Regional Forum - Alternative Dispute Resolution & Customary and Informal Justice: Advancing SDG16 and Pathways to Justice
Strengthening the capacity of prosecutors, judges and lawyers in Rwanda in international criminal law is both important and timely. Over two decades after Rwanda’s genocide, the number of cases extradited and transferred from other countries to Rwanda continues to increase. Given that international criminal law is a complex and evolving field, prosecutors who appear in Transfer cases would benefit from skills allowing them to more accurately and effectively research and apply the latest judicial precedents.
IDLO welcomed the President of the International Criminal Court (ICC), Judge Chile Eboe-Osuji, and the former President of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Judge Erik Møse, to its training program in Kigali for an interactive exchange with 45 Rwandan judges on the particularities of adjudicating complex international criminal law trials.
Transfer cases dealing with the Rwandan genocide have been adjudicated in Rwanda since 2012, and the number of cases extradited from other countries continues to increase. The procedure in transfer cases is guided in significant part by the practice and substantive precedents set by international tribunals and international criminal jurisprudence. However, international criminal law is a complex and evolving field, and it is critical that Rwandan judges know how to research and apply the latest judicial precedents correctly and effectively.
IDLO has signed a memorandum of understanding with the East African Community (EAC), an intergovernmental organization composed of six countries in eastern Africa – Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
