On Monday 29^th January 2024, the Ministry of Justice, the EU Delegation to Rwanda and some key actors in the Justice sector launched a new programme called the Justice and Accountability Programme (JAP), aims at Empowering Rwanda's Justice and Reconciliation Efforts as a Milestone Towards Sustainable Development.

In his speech, Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja emphasized the positive impact of the programme on the Justice Sector, specifically in the access to justice. He reiterated the EU’s pivotal role as a partner in the Sector, highlighting previous achievements of EU support, including the implementation of the Alternative Dispute Resolution policy, and contributions to the development of criminal justice policies.

EU Ambassador in Rwanda, Belén Calvo Uyarra stressed that the programme contributes to Rwanda’s journey following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Over the next four years, the JAP programme will be implemented under three (3) components:

Under the first component, the programme will improve the professionalism and skills of the Justice main actors, namely the Ministry of Justice, the Judiciary, the National Prosecution Authority, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), the Rwanda National Police (RNP) and the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR). The main objective is to improve the delivery of timely justice aiming at the reduction of the backlog of cases, modernizing the justice system, and improving access to quality justice. By streamlining legal aid support, the programme will work towards universal and affordable justice for all, with a focus on inclusivity for vulnerable groups as well as respect for human rights.

The second component will concentrate on Reconciliation, Rehabilitation, and Unity, offering support to the Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) and civil society. Technical, vocational, education, and training (TVET) programs will empower inmates and former genocide perpetrators with essential skills, reducing recidivism upon their reintegration into society. Through this grant, civil society organisations (CSOs) will engage in socio-psychological healing and reconciliation processes at the community level to enhance resilience and unity across the country.

The third component will focus on amplifying the voice and accountability of civil society. By empowering CSOs to work closely with citizens, the programme aims to tackle issues of accountability effectively.

The new programme follows the signing on July 26, 2023 of a Financing Agreement for a total amount of €19.5 million, between the Government of Rwanda and the European Union. The €19.5 million funding is part of the €260 million EU support package for Rwanda. It is essential for achieving the goals within Rwanda’s Justice, Reconciliation, Law and Order Sector (JRLOS) Strategic Plan 2018-2024, focusing on improving justice delivery, inclusivity and human rights.

This effort aligns with Rwanda's National Strategy for Transformation (NST1) and JRLOS Strategic Plan signalling the EU's commitment to promoting the rule of law and strengthening human rights in Rwanda. The program not only bolsters Rwanda's strides towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16) and Vision 2050 but also empowers civil society and paves the way for a more just and accountable society.