National training workshop on terrorism, international and transnational crimes in Rwanda
The Chief Justice expressed his appreciation to the ISS for hosting the training course for prosecutors, police and members of the judiciary in Rwanda.
Date: 2014-07-07 to 2014-07-11
Time: 08:59 to 08:59
Venue: Kigali, Rwanda
The ISS convened this training course in cooperation with the Judiciary of Rwanda, the National Public Prosecution Authority, and the Institute for Legal Practice and Development (ILPD).
The goal of the training was to enhance the capacity of criminal justice and law enforcement practitioners to respond appropriately to terrorism, and international and transnational crimes. Specifically the course aimed to:
- Enhance technical skills to respond to these crimes
- Raise awareness of legal responses, institutions and processes and promote learning and the sharing of best practice
- Discuss practical aspects of prosecuting and adjudicating terrorism, international and transnational crimes cases
- Discuss real-time issues that arise during the prosecution and adjudication of these offences including the need for international cooperation in criminal matters
The Prosecutor-General of Rwanda, Richard Muhumuza, and First Secretary of the Embassy of the Netherlands, Vasco Rodrigues, opened the training workshop. Muhumuza recalled the grenade attack at a market in Kicukiro centre in Kigali in September 2013, noting that the threat of terrorism is pervasive in East Africa. He talked about the risks to regional stability and the need for a comprehensive response to the challenge; hence the importance of training. He called for further training in the area of forensics and investigations relating to terror incidents.
The training was attended by 43 participants (17 prosecutors, 22 members of the judiciary, and 4 police officials). The challenge of international cooperation in criminal matters was discussed at length. Many Rwandan fugitives elude prosecution for crimes allegedly committed during the 1994 genocide. The importance of cooperation in the extradition of fugitives and of mutual legal assistance from neighbouring countries was discussed.
International criminal justice was a focus of the training. Although participants were familiar with the prosecution of international crimes, there were gaps in their understanding of the International Criminal Court (ICC), its purpose and objectives.
Participants were also trained on cybercrime. This topic was especially well received, as it was the first time that prosecutors and judicial officers were exposed to the subject in detail. Rwanda has yet to prosecute a cybercrime-related case. There were many requests for further training on cybercrime, especially in the technical aspects of the trying cybercrime suspects.
The cross-cutting issue of witness protection was covered in detail. Rwanda’s witness protection programme is situated in the office of the Prosecutor-General in the judiciary. Discussions indicated that this arrangement is complicated and may require re-positioning.
In a significant show of commitment to the training process, the Chief Justice of Rwanda, Sam Rugege and acting Prosecutor-General, Jean Bosco Mutangana, presided over the closing ceremony. Rugege noted that judges and prosecutors must be familiar with international and transnational crimes, and the methods used by criminals to evade justice. He also mentioned the importance of skills development to assist with adjudicating and prosecuting such cases.
The Chief Justice expressed his appreciation to the ISS for hosting the training. He added that these capacity building initiatives represent the commitment of criminal justice and law enforcement agencies to ending these crimes. Training courses such as these also send a message that no crime will go unpunished, that new methods will be explored and justice will be sought for victims. He expressed his commitment to ensuring that the recommendations from the training are implemented in Rwanda. These recommendations, which were developed during the training course, will inform future work and programming in these areas.
