A new study reveals the significant challenges facing Rwanda's justice system, highlighting issues like prolonged case durations and staff attrition. The research, conducted by Transparency International Rwanda, emphasizes the alarming rise in case backlog, straining judicial resources and potentially compromising the quality of justice delivered.
The long time it takes for a case to be tried, and the fact that some members of staff in the judiciary are leaving for better paying jobs in other entities, are among major issues affecting citizen's access to justice , a new study has shown. The study titled 'Justice Needs and Satisfaction of Citizens in Rwanda' was validated by a workshop organised by the Judiciary, on Friday, December 27.
It was carried out by Transparency International Rwanda, which is the country branch of a global non-governmental organisation that seeks to end injustice and corruption. It found that one of the most common problems in Rwandan courts is a high volume of backlog of cases, indicating that because of a shortage of human resources (judges and court staff), and delays in judicial proceedings, courts are not capable of keeping up with the incoming cases which are on the rise. The study interviewed a sample of 600 respondents who were randomly selected from a list of people who sought justice in courts in the country during the last three years. A case filed to a court must be decided within six months, according to the existing laws. Delayed cases mean pending cases for more than 6 months, and they are seen as backlog. Citing data from the Judiciary's 2022-2023 annual report, the study showed that the total case backlog in Rwanda increased by 72 per cent over four years, from 52,952 cases in 2019/2020 to 91,050 cases in 2022/2023. The study indicated the backlog of cases places immense pressure on judges, who are tasked with handling 49 cases on average per month. The heavy workload can compromise the quality and thoroughness of judicial decisions, as judges may not have sufficient time to carefully consider each case, the study found. Moreover, delays in resolving cases can undermine public trust in the judicial system and deny litigants timely justice
Rwandan Judiciary Justice System Case Backlog Judicial Delays Access To Justice
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