The Legal Aid Week launched over the weekend in Gatsibo District will focus on executing Gacaca court rulings, among other things.

The Minister for Justice, Johnston Busingye, launched the Legal Aid Week on Sunday at Kiramuruzi.

Usually the week focuses on offering free services to the indigents.

"This time we want to also focus on executing Gacaca court rulings all over the country,” he said.

Busingye called upon Rwandans to equip themselves with knowledge of law and how and where to pursue justice.

"It’s challenging to be educated without some knowledge of laws. You have three legal advisors per district. Please use them to advise you on issues concerning justice.”

In attendance were provincial Governor Judith Kazayire, head of National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC) Fidel Ndayisaba and the Chief Prosecutor Jean Bosco Mutangana.

Minister Busingye met the residents of Kiramuruzi, Kiziguro and Murambi sectors, where he condemned violence and drug abuse.

"All forms of violence, including domestic are outdated in our society. We’re not a society where a man or woman beats spouse; we’re not a society where drugs are the order of the day. Whoever will be implicated in these vices will face the wrath of the law.”

Kazayire said they will perform all their responsibilities in helping residents in the province pursue justice during the Legal Aid Week.

"The government is intending to ensure good welfare and justice to people. This is our responsibility as citizens and leaders in our country,” she said.

At the launch, Abunzi (mediators) were given 167 bicycles that President Kagame promised them to ease movement in their mediation work.

Also at the same ceremony, several genocide survivors pardoned 103 perpetrators who killed their relatives and plundered their property during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Last year’s Legal Aid Week saw the execution of 1641 court rulings and Rwf54 million in court penalties was recovered.

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