Rwanda: Gacaca Courts Ill-Equipped - Report

George Kagame14 June 2007
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Kigali — Lack of infrastructure for Gacaca jurisdictions is one of the reasons for delayed justice for thousands of Genocide suspects, a Senatorial report has said. The report, a product of investigations by the Senate's Standing Committee on Political Affairs, indicates that many Gacaca tribunals lack court rooms, while those available are too small to accommodate trial attendants. Even those in place are in very bad condition, adds the report.

The report, which was presented by the committee's chairperson Immaculate Gahima Kayumba, says that as a result, many Gacaca sessions are held in open space, the reason why they always postpone proceedings whenever it rains.

"(The situation) has forced Gacaca judges to conduct trials in open places - sometimes under trees or stadiums. Because of this problem many cases have been delayed for very long periods.

"This is because when it rains or gets too hot, judges suspend hearings, which has subsequently led to backlog of cases," Kayumba said during a power point presentation to the Senate on Wednesday.

The senators' investigation covered a period between 2000 and 2007.

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The report also says that there were reports of Gacaca judges allegedly taking bribes. It also notes that there are some Burundian nationals who participated in the 1994 Rwanda Genocide and later fled back to their country.

Kayumba said such cases were reported in the areas of Kibungo, Kirehe, Ruhango and Ruhuha.

The Rwandan government has previously appealed to the government of Burundi to help prosecute Burundians that participated in the Genocide.

However, the report observed that tremendous progress had been registered under the Gacaca judicial system, citing cases where people willingly told the truth, thereby promoting reconciliation.

Kayumba also said many citizens are "very responsive to Gacaca proceedings (through) contributing ideas and asking very important questions that help guide judges during proceedings."