Rwanda | EAC Judges meet in Kigali
Since its entry into the East African Community (EAC) in 2011, Rwanda has for the first time, hosted the 10th EAC annual meeting of the East African Magistrates and Judges Association (EAMJA) conference in Kigali city, this May 23, 2012
The meeting was opened by the Prime Minister, Dr. Pierre Damien Habumuremyi, who represented the president of Rwanda, Paul Kagame.
The Prime Minister said universal Jurisdiction is neither fair nor equitable in real practice but should be a measure for every country to pursue in trend of building justice systems of their countries especially fight impunity. He noted that there is need to have all fugitives hiding in different countries extradited so as to face justice home.
Angeline Rutazana, High court judge and president of the association of judges and court clerks in Rwanda said that since Rwanda is new to the EAC block, the meeting will enhance this country’s understanding of issues relating to Universal and regional competence in the justice sector.
She added that there are many signs that Rwanda’s justice system is growing and improving, which has lead to some of the high level meetings being held in Rwanda, and even the transfer of ICTR cases to Rwanda among others.
The meeting called on African countries to standardize their judicial systems as a way of dealing with genocide crimes since it was the only alternative against western imperialism.
The Three-day meeting will be held under the theme: ‘Universal Competence in Africa.’ The meeting has brought together over 300 judges, magistrates, court clerks and– both local and foreign experts in the Justice sector.
The previous 9th annual meeting was held last year in Entebbe, Uganda.
