Chief Justice Faustin Ntezilyayo has said that the judiciary remains committed to the delivery of justice, particularly by combating corruption at all levels, adding that "public trust is fundamental" to achieving justice.
He made the remarks at a press briefing held on Wednesday, September 11, at the end of the Conference of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association (CMJA) in Kigali.
The five-day conference, which had brought together legal professionals from 44 jurisdictions across the Commonwealth, discussed global issues such as the rule of law, environmental justice, and the future of judicial independence.
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Ntezilyayo said that Rwanda was committed to transparency and accountability within the judiciary while addressing pressing issues related to environmental justice.
"Public trust is fundamental to Rwanda's judiciary. Judges cannot claim to be doing a good job if the people receiving their services have a different perception. Progress has been made in curbing corruption within the judiciary, but the fight is far from over,” Ntezilyayo told reporters.
He pointed out that the success of the judicial system depends on the trust of the citizens, and that this trust is built by ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficient delivery of justice.
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"No citizen should pay any extra fees or bribes to get justice. Anyone who engages in corrupt practices must be held accountable,” he said.
Ntezilyayo also noted that Rwanda was adopting new ways of delivering justice through alternative dispute mechanisms, such as plea bargaining. More than 12,000 cases have been resolved through plea bargaining in about 18 months.
Chief Justice Lynne Leitch, the President of the Commonwealth Magistrates and Judges Association, commended Rwanda's legal reforms and the progress the country has made in building the judiciary over the 30 years after the Genocide against the Tutsi.
She also noted that the CMJA conference in Kigali had provided an occasion for the delegates from across the Commonwealth to learn from each country's best practices.
"The CMJA conference served as a valuable platform for exchanging ideas and best practices in judicial reform. We explored solutions to the global challenges of judicial corruption, access to justice, and the evolving demands of environmental litigation,” Leitch said.