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.

“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.

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/