Restorative justice models in Rwandan criminal justice:

The current Rwandan criminal justice, takes root from civil law traditions, and suffers a lot from the shortcomings of the retributive system. These shortcomings include prison overcrowding, case backlogs, victim neglect, and limited rehabilitation opportunities and lack of social harmony as well. Restorative justice represents a new paradigm to respond to the problem of crime by encouraging reparation of the harm done, accountability for offender, and stakeholder inclusion. The research highlights legal, institutional, cultural, and operational barriers that hinder the implementation of restorative justice in Rwanda. Those barriers range from restriction imposed on laws regulating mediation, to an insufficient professional training, and cultural norms on gender and reconciliation. Having recourse to international best practices in RJ practices, the research proposes legislative reforms to expand the scope of mediation eligibility. The findings recommend the integration of RJ in complementarity with the current criminal justice system, and this new paradigm will enhance victim-centered justice, reduce incarceration, and encourage social harmony in Rwanda.

Autorentext

Born on 11.09.1986 in Rwanda, Me IZERE IRADUKUNDA Germain holds a Master of Law in applied criminal law following a Bachelor of Laws and different professional certificates in the field of law. He is an experienced legal practitioner for performing functions of private notary and enrolled attorney at the Rwanda Bar Association.