Transparency International project to promote justice

Transparency International Rwanda has launched a project to help people seeking judicial services.The launch of the two-year project, dubbed Monitoring Courts to Achieve a More Professional, Effective and Accountable Justice System, was presided over by the Minister of Justice, Tharcisse Karugarama, in Kigali this week.Through this project, the watchdog will work in collaboration with the Justice ministry to strengthen courts and tribunals through identifying weaknesses by collecting evidence of where there are loopholes, especially in dealing with community disputes. “This partnership aims at serving the Rwandan population; this initiative comes at the right time and it actually complements our efforts in ensuring universal access to justice,” said Karugarama, who is also the Attorney General.He observed that working together as partners in development will accelerate national development and service delivery. He observed that this programme will enhance transparency and contribute towards the building of an effective judicial system right from the grassroots. Commending the watchdog for its contribution towards development, especially in fighting corruption, the minister warned against any form of injustice The initiative, according to Immaculee Ingabire, the Chairperson of Transparency International Rwanda, will also carry out rights awareness. “Among other mechanisms we will employ during this programme is to visit different courts to ascertain, for example how long it takes for a case to be settled,” Ingabire said.She added that various exercises shall be carried out, including consulting the local population, especially those who have filed cases.Ingabire acknowledged that this will also go hand-in-hand with the fight against human rights violations. The initiative is sponsored by European Union and the National Human Rights Commission.