Transparency International, Rwanda Chapter (TI-Rwanda) has singled out the media and civil society, among others, for not doing enough to highlight incidences of graft in the judiciary. During the presentation of its latest report, TI-Rwanda reported that there was wide spread perception by the public that some judges were partial in the cases they handled while others were reported to be corrupt. Very damning to say the least. Certainly, issues of partiality in judicial matters are always subjective; it is always dependent on the litigant; the losing party will always feel shortchanged while the victor will sing praises. But what TI-Rwanda seeks of the media and other partners is in contradiction with justice. If judges become influenced by public opinion, then they will have failed. They weigh the facts presented and make an opinion. But the judiciary also does not make monitoring any easier. Court agendas and time tables are not widely disseminated and only high profile cases attract attention and therefore attract diverse public opinions. But, on another note, TI-Rwanda has its job cut out compared to some neighbouring countries. In one, it took the Chief Justice’s descent to highlight what was already an open secret; parallel “private” traffic courts. We have not arrived there yet, but we need to keep on our toes and it will take more openness, especially from the judicial inspectorate. The Inspector General of Courts should make public any findings on impropriety in courts which they tend to hush up. Naming and shaming is one way of curbing or averting any misdeeds in our courts, otherwise sweeping them under the carpet or keeping them under wraps is the biggest injustice.
