Roundtable Schedule – Panels, Discussions, and Speeches
The roundtable event opened with welcoming remarks from Me. John Bosco Bugingo, President of Rwanda Bridges to Justice, and Karen Tse, CEO of IBJ. Dr. Žygimantas Juška, Economic Attaché at the European Union (EU) Delegation, followed with a speech highlighting the EU’s steadfast commitment to promoting human rights and justice in Rwanda. An address was given by Mrs. Umurungi Providence, Chairperson of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), who commended the strong collaboration between NCHR and RBJ in advancing human rights initiatives.
The event featured two panel discussions, each tackling critical issues within Rwanda’s justice system. The first panel, moderated by Me. Nkundabarashi Moise, President of the Rwanda Bar Association, focused on the achievements of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and the future direction of the Advancing Human Rights in Rwanda project. Panelists voiced concerns over the current lack of legal assistance available, particularly for vulnerable populations and youth, and discussed how coordinating efforts across organizations can address this gap. A senior prosecutor and an Inspector General of National Prosecution Authority, Mr. Ntete Jules Marius from the audience promoted the use of alternative dispute resolution methods to reduce case backlogs.
The second panel spotlighted UPR Advocacy Champions, featuring organizations like Citizen Rights and Development, Empower Rwanda, Stand for People Sustainable Development, and the Rwanda Organisation of Persons with Deaf Blindness. These groups shared their experiences and strategies in promoting human rights under the UPR framework.
The event concluded with closing remarks from RBJ Program Manager and IBJ International Program Director, Mr. Sanjeewa Liyanage, who expressed gratitude to the participants for their open-minded discussions. He highlighted the mutual respect and trust that have become the foundation of collaboration within Rwanda’s legal community and the need to work collaboratively and constructively to sustain system change in advancing access to justice.

Notable Successes of Previous Roundtables
Our four previous roundtable events have yielded significant and tangible results, demonstrating the power of collaborative dialogue in driving policy change. At our inaugural roundtable, three recommendations that emerged from the discussions, among many others, were swiftly adopted by policymakers.
The first recommendation was the incorporation of progressive alternatives to detention into Rwanda’s criminal justice framework. Responding to community demands for options such as probation, rehabilitation, and treatment, the Ministry of Justice introduced Article 3.4.7 into the new criminal code. This amendment enshrines the principle of imprisonment as a last resort, reflecting a more humane approach to criminal justice.
In another vital development, the roundtable recommended the need for better training for correctional officers in addressing trauma and mental health issues among detainees. As a result, the Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) initiated courses on human rights and mental health for its staff, ensuring that correctional officers are better equipped to manage these issues.
Finally, in response to our recommendation for increased access to early legal services–part of IBJ’s core mission—Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) collaborated with law firms and civil society organizations, resulting in 72% of all handled cases receiving early assistance by a defense lawyer.

Role of Roundtables
The roundtables are a key facet of the Advancing Human Rights in Rwanda project, spearheaded by RBJ. In its opening two years, the initiative has already conducted six training sessions, provided legal assistance and representation to 836 detainees, and offered psychosocial support to 870 inmates. During their presentation, Willis Odhiambo Okul and Vincent Tengeye Makokha noted the remarkable progress the project has made in empowering civil society leaders, human rights defenders, and service providers, enhancing the capacity of justice stakeholders across the board.
Furthermore, roundtables serve as a point of discussion for how to implement the United Nations’ (UN) Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations. The UPR process, a comprehensive review of the human rights record of all UN member states, offers a detailed framework for improving human rights in Rwanda. However, as Mr. William Ndengeyingoma from the Ministry of Justice highlighted during his speech, the recommendations are often highly technical and require careful interpretation and a coordinated effort for effective implementation.
The roundtable format provides a collaborative environment where justice community members can strategize on how to best align Rwanda’s justice practices with these global standards. Additionally, it gave the opportunity to spotlight the trailblazing work of UPR Advocacy Champions, individuals who  have worked tirelessly to set the groundwork for UPR implementation in their communities. For example, the organization Empower Rwanda emphasized their work in combating gender-based violence and promoting gender equality through local awareness campaigns.
These discussions play a crucial role in bridging the gaps between various stakeholders in the justice sector. By facilitating a platform for dialogue, participants gain insights into the challenges and perspectives unique to each segment of the system. This exchange not only enhances mutual understanding but also ensures that innovative ideas for justice reform are heard and realized.

“Today I brought with me this image….it’s a women with a man’s hand on her bottom. For me it represents harassment. It’s an image I’ve kept with me since 2007, and it reminds me of the importance of my work defending other women’.

Gisèle Kapinga (right), a lawyer from DR Congo, was one of 27 women defense lawyers from across Francophone Africa who gathered in Kigali, Rwanda, for a first-of-its-kind event strengthening women’s leadership in the legal profession and identifying strategies for breaking down barriers that prevent women from joining defenders’ ranks.

As Gisèle told her story, the other women in the room– all of them defense lawyers – nodded their heads. For many of them, discrimination has been an unfortunate part of their professional lives, and many shared similar stories of discrimination both directed at them or at their female clients.

Around the world, women remain underrepresented in justice system roles, including defenders. A 2011 report issued by the UN Secretary General noted that this under representation “undoubtedly reflects institutionalized gender discrimination within the justice system.” In Rwanda, women comprise just 22 percent of the Rwanda Bar Association.

The Kigali gathering – the first ever of women defenders from across the countries of Francophone Africa – was intended to lay the groundwork for permanently changing this reality. Hosted by International Bridges to Justice, a Geneva-based organization that works to protect the due process rights of accused individuals by providing them with early access to a competent, effective lawyer, the event provided the lawyers with training in leadership, communications, and criminal defense skills.

“Women should have the same chances as men to succeed in careers as defenders,” says Karen Tse, IBJ’s founder and CEO. “But this goes beyond just boosting women’s careers – it goes right to the heart of building durable, high-quality justice systems that provide equal justice for all people. We can’t expect to do that if we limit professional opportunities for half of the population.”

The training initiative was supported by the Minister of Justice of Rwanda, Johnston Busingye, who on the second day of training  invited the group to meet with him at the Ministry of Justice. The Minister spoke to the women on the importance of their work as criminal defense lawyers and of the importance of gender equality within justice systems.

Ensuring gender equality and empowering women and girls is also recognized as a core part of countries’ sustainable development. Gender equality is the fifth Sustainable Development Goal in the UN’s 2030 Strategy for Sustainable Development.

IBJ Legal Training Director, Jacques du Preez, led a number of modules designed to not only deepen the participant’s knowledge of international human rights norms, standards, and best practices, but also to develop their trial advocacy and criminal defense techniques. Simultaneously, IBJ’s CEO, Karen Tse, led a a session designed to explore past, current, and future trends within the justice systems of the participant’s respective countries, and facilitated a discussion on how individual defenders can catalyze change.

In addition to skills training, the training provided attendees with an opportunity to network, build stronger connections, and share stories about challenges they faced and how they overcame them. Perhaps most importantly, the event gave the women a chance to talk about strategies for transforming the profession and achieving real gender balance over time. International trainer Maryam Montague held a number of sessions designed to build the confidence of the women through teaching effective public speaking skills, including the importance of body language and tips on effective voice projection.

The training session was funded by Global Affairs Canada and was attended by criminal defense lawyers from Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Mali, Rwanda, Senegal, and Togo.

“I am a public defender

I am a guardian of the presumption of innocence, due process and fair trial.

To me is entrusted the preservation of those sacred principles…”

-James Doherty, 1967

This oath was taken by 80 defense lawyers, prosecutors and police officers who attended a three-day legal skills training workshop from 7-9 November 2018 in Kigali, Rwanda. This session was a part of the “Protecting Human Rights within Rwanda’s Criminal Justice System” project funded by the European Union and implemented jointly by IBJ, Rwanda Bridges to Justice (RBJ), the Rwandan Bar Association and Dignity in Detention Foundation (DiDé). The training was specifically tailored to address the needs of two different, yet interrelated Rwanda justice key groups: Rwandan criminal defense lawyers and the prosecutors and police officers attached to the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB).

Practical Trial Advocacy Skills Training

Under the guidance of IBJ and other international and local trainers, Rwandan criminal defense lawyers covered practical trial advocacy skills including case development strategy, pre-trial procedures, interview techniques, torture and dealing with coerced confessions coached by our trainers: John Bosco Bugingo (RBJ Country Director), Sanjeewa Liyanage (IBJ’s International Program Director), Bob Burke (Defense Trainer and Consultant), Jacques du Preez (IBJ Legal Training Director) and Musore Gakunzi Valery. This workshop trained 40 practicing lawyers from Kigali and the Eastern Province.

Training that Advances Gender Parity and Local Ownership

Furthermore, IBJ commits itself in advancing gender parity and local ownership in all of its work, specifically in la Francophonie, the training session thus embraced two special modules focusing on the challenges encountered by women lawyers in Rwanda and on representation and assistance of female detainees. These modules were presented by experienced female trainers from RBJ and DiDe – Joëlle Kabagambe (senior lawyer at RBJ Defender Resource Center) Sophie Musabeyezu (Psychologist, DiDe).

Finally, with a view of strengthening Rwandan pro bono culture, every lawyer was encouraged to take on pro bono cases as part of their solemn legal duty to ensure that even the poor and vulnerable have access to a competent defense.

Technical Investigation Skills Training

The second training guided police officers and prosecutors attached to the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) through technical investigation techniques including how to conduct an effective investigative interview with the accused and/or victims as well as gathering of numerous aspects of forensic evidence (including crime scenes, DNA gathering and safeguarding). A further aim of this workshop was to underline how physical and psychological abuse during interrogation jeopardize investigation and case file credibility. 40 investigators, prosecutors and lawyers from Kigali and the Eastern Province joined for this workshop and IBJ is particularly proud to have retained, for this training workshop, the services and skills of senior (now retired) FBI agent Emmanuel Johnson Jr. from the United States.

On a final note, this session was extremely successful as evident from the feedback received:

“Thank you very much for the notes. I really enjoyed the training, I am exploring the skills I gained and I am ready for any further training and workshops.” – Me MUHIRE Jean Marie Eugène, Advocate at Rwanda Bar Association

Next steps

IBJ will continue to expand its work in Rwanda exponentially. As always, it will continue to build on its positive relationship with the Institution of Justice in Rwanda. As for now, IBJ and RBJ are already planning on organizing training for Judges in 2019.

Participants of the roundtable pose for a group photo

As guests of honor, Minister of ICT Hon. Jean Philbert Nsengimana and Minister of Justice Hon. Johnston Busingye welcomed the initiative and encouraged the innovative use of technology in the justice sector.

Of the 25 participants who contributed to the roundtable, attendees included the President of the Rwanda Bar Association, the Rector of the Institute for Legal Practice and Development (ILPD), two representatives from Rwanda Correctional Services (RCS), a representative from the Supreme Court, as well as international development agencies such as the United Nations Development Program, the Swiss Development Cooperation and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Civil Society Organizations such as iPeace, Dignity in Detention and RCN Justice and Democracy.

IBJ’s Founder and CEO, Karen Tse, with RBJ Country Manager John Bosco Bugingo and President of the Rwanda Bar Association Julien- Gustave Kavaruganda

Participants unanimously acknowledged progress made in Rwanda’s justice sector through the use of technology over the last past years, especially with the recent launch of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) in 2016. Speaking from a lawyer’s point of view, prof. Didas Kayihura, Rector of ILPD, said “Just after a few months of using IECMS […] our cost at the law firm had reduced by half.”  Hon. Minister Jean Philbert Nsengimana underlined that Rwanda needs to continue working towards improvement, as it is by doing this, that one achieves its goals: “Becoming a model is not about going around and advertising what you do, it is actually doing what you are supposed to do and doing it well.”

Minister Busingye also echoed this view and said “As my colleague minister told you, I want to see things happening. […] I want to see you trying to deliver something. […] Technology can do many more things. […] So whatever you are doing please keep developing it and get it done.”

Discussions taking place during the roundtable

The roundtable also provided a valuable opportunity to discuss the challenges associated to IECMS, to identify areas of improvement and discuss possibilities for improved efficiency and collaboration.

Some of the lawyers mentioned persistent difficulties in accessing the integrality of their clients’ case files, especially in criminal cases. Other challenges include population’s awareness of the system and knowledge gap on the use of ICT, internet connectivity and language barriers, as the system is only available in English.

Drawing from the Netherlands’ Embassy’s experience and current strategies, representative Iris De Groot, mentioned the idea of using pre-recorded phone messages and educational videos to keep educating and training the population.

To summarize, IBJ’s International Program Director, Sanjeewa Liyanage, stated “We all agree in the power of technology. It is not a choice anymore; it is a norm. A norm to organize things, to accelerate things, to make things better […] It is also the will and finding a way to overcome challenges that brings change”. 

IBJ’s Founder and CEO, Karen Tse brought the roundtable to a close by thanking the attendees and reminding all, ‘We are all doing this together [….] it’s beautiful that we recognized today that we each have a role to play.’

The participants of the event with IBJ Fellows, John Bosco Bugingo and Estelle Brot

RBJ wishes to host monthly meetings with the aim of providing a forum where female lawyers can come together to informally discuss the challenges identified and formulate the most effective approaches to those particular challenges.

In his welcome speech, RBJ Fellow John Bosco Bugingo invited participants to reflect on their current situation as female advocates, on the reasons that drove them to become lawyers, on the challenges they face and on the strengths they can rely on to overcome these challenges. “We are giving you a platform to network, share experience, encourage each other and grow stronger as professional female advocates” – he said.

The goal of this first meeting was to identify the most common challenges female lawyers face and develop a agenda for upcoming meetings.

Some of the challenges mentioned by participants included intimidation from male colleagues, in particular through sexist jokes undermining their professional credibility, lack of self-confidence and the quasi-absence of strong female role-models to look up to. As one of the participants stated: “When you reach university you look for those bright female students who studied with you in secondary school and you say, where did they go? […] Where are the women to look up to? There is no female lawyer with a successful law firm in Rwanda. We have no one to admire.”

The women also discussed the difficulties of balancing a career and motherhood, as well the struggle to be taken seriously both by clients and by male colleagues.

Two of the participants shared some of the inappropriate comments that had been directed at them:

“Can you at least find a ring and put it on your finger?” was suggested to one female lawyer in order to be taken more seriously in her work.

“Sometimes you come (to see your client) and they say: – I want to talk to a lawyer! So you reply – I’m standing right in front of you. And they look down at you and say – you?!”

As discussions unfolded, participants began giving each other advice and sharing experiences.

One of the most experienced lawyers within the group recommended that the women ignore the sexist comments and stay focused on their work load; “You just show them what you are capable of” she said.

Based on those discussions, participants suggested topics and activities for the upcoming meetings and it was decided that depending on the topic, sessions will tap into collective knowledge, and/or invite guest speakers such as female leaders/lawyers (national and international), Civil Society Organizations, or experienced lecturers and practitioners. It was also agreed that participants facing a particular challenge at the time of the meeting (with a case, with colleagues, with clients, etc.) would be given time to present this challenge to the group and receive advice from their colleagues. Finally, moot court sessions will be organized to help women become more confident in their legal and public speaking skills.

These “Women Lawyers Network Coffee Meetings” are the first component of a broader project. Designed based on discussions that took place during the August training, this project will aim to support female defenders in their daily work and improve gender-sensitive criminal defense available for female defendants within Rwanda’s criminal justice system.

Held at the Grand Legacy Hotel in Kigali, and attended by 45 Rwandan lawyers, the training was led by five expert trainers with complementary skills, Karen Tse, IBJ Founder and CEO, John Busco Bungingo, Senior Advocate and Rwanda Bridges to Justice Manager,  John Ryder, Common Law Expert and UK Judge, Johnson Kabera, Senior Advocate and former Prosecutor, and Sanjeewa Liyanage, IBJ International Programme Director.

The trainers and participants ready to begin the two-day session

A wide variety of modules were covered over the two-day sessions and focused on improving the lawyer’s practical skills, as well as strengthening links and cooperation between defenders, to ultimately foster the development of a pro-bono legal culture.  On the second day of the training, participants were given an opportunity to apply what they had learnt in a moot trail.

Rwanda Bridges to Justice Manager, John Bosco Bugingo shares his expertise with the

John Ryder, UK Judge and rule of law expert addresses participants

Alongside the practical skills covered, the participants were encouraged to reflect upon their values, ethics, and motivations as defense lawyers, with the aim of building a sense of support and solidarity between the lawyers. Following one of these motivational sessions, Richard, an attending lawyer at the training session stated;

“We are the ones who will bring the change we want to see in our criminal justice system. We have to own it.”

All 45 lawyers were provided with a criminal defence manual to complement the training. The manuals included a check list of appropriate steps to follow after receiving a client, and provided detailed advice on defence strategies.

The post-training survey revealed the participants thoughts on the training. Attending lawyer Bashir stated,  “We need more training of this kind.”

Responding to John Ryder’s presentations, participant Célestin said, “I was so impressed by the lectures of Justice John Ryder for the practical knowledge and experience that he shared, specifically on opening and closing statements.”

All training presentations and materials can be accessed on IBJ’s eLearning website: https://elearning.ibj.org/course/view.php?id=98

Kigali, Rwanda – 18 August 2017 – International Bridges to Justice together with its local entity Rwanda Bridges to Justice (RBJ) and the Rwanda Bar Association is bringing together 40 lawyers for a high-level training conference on August 21 and 22. The training aims to refine and strengthen the practical criminal defense skills of lawyers so they are better able to safeguard the due process rights of accused persons. The event is supported by Global Affairs Canada, Rule of Law Expertise UK (ROLE UK) and UKAid.

“For access to justice to be truly universal, everyone, especially the poorest of the poor must have legal protection. Training sessions such as these, by training the next generation of defense lawyers and bringing them together as a community, are a crucial part of making that happen,” said Karen Tse, CEO and Founder of International Bridges to Justice.

Held at the Grand Legacy Hotel in Kigali, the training will be an important way of connecting public defenders and creating a community of lawyers who share a common goal of strengthening the justice system in Rwanda, and enable them to catalyse change towards a fairer justice system for all.

Topics covered include defense strategies, rights of the accused, and several trial skills sessions. The training will culminate in a mock trial allowing participating lawyers to put their skills into practice.

IBJ is proud to inaugurate the training with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Rwanda Bridges to Justice and the Rwanda Bar Association. Embodying the deepening cooperation between vital stakeholders in the justice sector in Rwanda, all participating lawyers will receive Continuous Legal Education points (CLEs) from the Rwanda Bar Association for their participating

IBJ welcomes all press to observe the training sessions, which will be held on the 21^st and 22^nd August 2017 at the Grand Legacy Hotel, Kigali, between 9 AM and 5.30 PM.

About IBJ and RBJ

In recognition of the fundamental principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, International Bridges to Justice (IBJ) is dedicated to protecting the basic legal rights of ordinary individuals in developing countries. Specifically, IBJ works to guarantee all individuals the right to competent legal representation, the right to be protected from cruel and unusual punishment, and the right to a fair trial.

International Bridges to Justice began working in Rwanda in 2010. In partnership with the Ministry of Justice and the Rwanda Bar Association IBJ worked to fill the gaps in criminal legal aid. In 2014, IBJ Fellow Maitre John Bosco Bugingo initiated the creation of IBJ’s autonomous local chapter, Rwanda Bridges to Justice (RBJ), with the same mission as its mother organisation International Bridges to Justice. Through the Defender Resource Center (DRC) in Kigali, RBJ provides the support necessary to motivate criminal defense lawyers, drives the movement to guarantee competent legal representation to the most vulnerable Rwandan defendants, including women, children, and the indigent, and builds a supportive community of legal professionals in the country.

Press Contact:  Estelle Brot

Email: ebrot@ibj.org

www.ibj.org

Program undertaken with the financial and/or technical support of the Government of Canada provided through Global Affairs Canada (GAC), Rule of Law Expertise UK (ROLE UK) and UKAid

Task Force Lawyers at a roundtable meeting at the IBJ Rwanda Defender Resource Center

On November 4, IBJ completed the successful registration of its local Rwanda chapter, Rwanda Bridges to Justice (RBJ) following the receipt of an official letter of recommendation to implement its activities in Rwanda from the mayor of Nyarugenge district.

Following this milestone, RBJ invited its dedicated task force of lawyers for a meeting to its Defender Resource Center in Kicukiro, in Kigali Province, on the 18^th of November.

The purpose of the meeting was to examine the next steps towards achieving RBJ’s mission to ensure systematic early access to legal representation for all accused persons, thus protecting the basic legal rights of all Rwandan citizens. Together with the 24 human rights defenders in attendance, IBJ Fellow John Bosco Bugingo discussed what could be done to support national legal aid in criminal matters and help achieve the country’s national objective to achieve Access to Justice under UN Sustainable Development Goal 16.

At the meeting, the Task Force lawyers renewed their commitment to promote a pro-bono legal culture – which is key to providing systematic early access to counsel. Challenges to taking on pro-bono cases were discussed, and several recommendations emerged on how to improve RBJ’s efficiency in providing assistance at the earliest stage of a criminal procedure.

The roundtable participants gather after renewing their commitment to advance access to justice in Rwanda

Furthermore, IBJ Fellow John Bosco Bugingo detailed the ways in which RBJ provides support to volunteer lawyers, including mentoring and training opportunities at the Defender Resource Center, online training resources such as IBJ’s eLearning and Defense Wiki, and other capacity-building initiatives aimed at improving the efficiency of legal aid.
Finally, the Task Force acknowledged RBJ’s essential role in ensuring access to justice and encouraging pro-bono culture in Rwanda, and in developing key partnerships with the Rwanda Bar Association (RBA), Association des Jeunes Avocats du Rwanda (Aja-Rwanda) and the Legal Aid Forum. Lawyers committed to maintaining partnerships with existing partners, and to foster collaborative dialogue with justice officials and policymakers through roundtable discussions.

Participants warmly welcomed RBJ’s initiative to set up this Task Force meeting. They enthusiastically stressed that RBJ’s essential work must continue and expand, and they reassured their commitment to assist RBJ in its mission to ensure systematic early access to counsel and to protect the fundamental rights of all accused in Rwanda.

Since the establishment of the IBJ Rwanda Program in 2010, IBJ has been building partnerships with the Ministry of Justice, the Prosecutor General’s Office, and the Kigali Bar Association (KBA). To create a climate for reform within the justice system, IBJ continues to work with the Ministry of Justice on plans for a comprehensive national legal aid policy and operational framework, working to ensure criminal legal aid is not overlooked. As Rwanda rapidly modernizes, IBJ will continue to play critical role in Rwanda’s justice system. But not without your help.

Quick Facts

• Defender Resource Center (DRC) operating in Kigali
• 265 cases already handled
• Over 30,000 individuals made aware of their legal rights
• Over 200 justice officials have attended IBJ trainings and roundtables
• Two radio rights awareness campaigns conducted, reaching over 200,000 individuals

John Bosco Bugingo, IBJ Rwanda’s Country Officer, has traveled around the country talking to the public and law enforcement officials, engaging them in constructive discussions about their role and responsibilities within the justice system.
IBJ is more prepared than ever to reach out to lawyers and the public who need their services and to connect them in empowering relationships. By hosting meetings of the Criminal Defense Task Force and the Legal Defense Skills Training Workshop, IBJ is preparing the next generation of legal talents and future justice sector leaders. Your donations, made here, will go directly to training young criminal defense lawyers and the educating ordinary citizens on their legal rights.

Future challenges

With the development agenda straining to meet a myriad of needs, few resources are directed towards developing the rule of law. Poorly trained and poorly paid police forces resort to torture as the cheapest form of investigation – the surest and swiftest way of securing a suspect’s confession. These practices undermine any confidence in the rule of law and poison the country’s goal of national reconciliation. IBJ hopes to consolidate the Kigali Defender Resource Center and establish a new DRC to address the country’s growing needs while continuing capacity building and training.

Help make this a reality by joining the #SEChallenge!

For more on IBJ Rwanda:

http://www.ibj.org/where-we-work/rwanda/

http://www.ibj.org/meet-ibj/our-team/team-rwanda/

http://www.ibj.org/category/programs/rwanda/

“The hope of a secure and livable world lies with disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice, peace and brotherhood,” said Martin Luther King, Jr.

From the time of the initial legal needs assessment made for Rwanda in 2006, IBJ has made great strides in spreading that essential seed of hope of which Martin Luther King spoke in the quote above. In this genocide-ravaged country, IBJ has fostered a growing community of like-minded “disciplined nonconformists who are dedicated to justice,” and willing to defend their brothers and countrymen for the sake of achieving, ultimately, a more secure and livable society.

In partnership with the Kigali Bar Association, IBJ has conducted rights awareness campaigns aimed at reaching the general public and legal skills workshops for lawyers willing to step up to the challenge of defending the defenseless. Among the lawyers IBJ has reached through its trainings, many have joined IBJ as volunteers, deepening their commitment to providing legal assistance pro bono, and reaching many accused individuals who would otherwise have gone unrepresented in a bewildering criminal legal process.

One such volunteer attorney, Jacques Karamira, has embodied this spirit of hope, and has demonstrated, through a recent case, the possibility of achieving positive results for his client through determination and an unwillingness to accept injustice. After taking part in IBJ’s skills trainings in 2010, Jacques was able to put his advocacy skills to work in the case of “Alex,” a prisoner he encountered in April 2011 while conducting a regular prison visit on behalf of IBJ.

Alex is an ordinary Rwandan citizen, a married father of five, who had been accused of a robbery. In his initial encounter with Jacques, Alex maintained his innocence, and said he had no idea why he was accused of this crime. According to Jacques’ investigation, the robbery in question took place in early 2009, although Alex’s arrest did not occur until early 2010. After his arrest, Alex told Jacques, he was subjected to cruel beatings at the hands of police, who would not allow his family to visit him until he finally confessed to the crime. For over 16 months prior to meeting Jacques, Alex was being held in pre-trial detention, facing charges he didn’t understand, awaiting trial at some uncertain time in the future.

Unfortunately, the situation that Alex was facing is not exceptional in Rwandan prisons. Approximately 26% of the entire prison population in Rwanda is detained awaiting trial. Cut off from their families and rarely able to afford access to legal counsel, they face life-threatening prison conditions. Although these detainees awaiting trial have not been found guilty of any crime, they are not segregated from the population of convicted prisoners. Without legal aid, many languish for months or even years without even knowing when their cases will be heard in a court of law.

With Jacques’ expert assistance, however, Alex would soon have his day in court. The key for Alex was having a skilled advocate like Jacques to help navigate the case through the system. Only weeks after their initial meeting, Jacques was having Alex narrate his entire ordeal in open court. Alex recounted his torture, both mental and physical, and renounced the false confession that police had extracted from him. As the prosecution had no better evidence to support the charge against him, Alex was found innocent. The court granted Alex immediate release, allowing him to finally return to his family.

While many injustices may seem insurmountable, IBJ has always held that ending the routine use of torture in the world’s criminal justice systems is an achievable goal with concrete solutions. The success that Jacques had in delivering Alex out of his unjust imprisonment is a clear example of a step in the right direction. IBJ is grateful to Jacques, one of Rwanda’s nonconformists, bringing his country ever closer to a more secure and livable future.

Image courtesy Krzysztof Racoń and Michal Wojtysiak, copyright 2011.