By Charles Ndushabandi
The Center for Rule of Law Rwanda (CERULAR), has asked the government to establish services Justice Bureaus (MAJ) at the sector level which according to the ministry of justice official it is something that is already in progress.
Mr. John Mudakikwa the Executive Director of CERULAR made the request as the organization presented research findings on access to legal aid for the under-privileged across the country. The research was presented to stakeholders who included members of civil society, media, government officials among others.
He said in some regions MAJ (Maison d’Acce a la Justice) are located far away from people hence they find it hard to cover the long distance which in turn denies them access to long aid.
“The reason we are asking for this, it is the easiest way to bring legal services to the people, especially since it is part of the seven-year government program NST1, where the government has decided that it will be done before 2024,” he said.
According to research findings there is still a gap in access to legal aid since people miss out on pro bono services because of its Ubudehe categories that are considered for one to be given these services. Also the research indicated that the money charged by lawyers for their services was too much and can’t be afforded by most people while in detention.
Mr. Anastase Nabahire, the Director General of the Department of Justice in the Ministry of Justice, said that this program has started across sectors even though there are challenges like funding and the number of workers being law.
“The will is there, and the MAJs are meeting with the people across the sectors, all this goes with the capacity the country has because it requires a budget to pay those additional workers,” Nabahire said.
He added that “we are still gathering the requirements and will reach a point where there are MAJs in all sectors but currently we find a way how the three per district cover the sectors with each taking up some sectors hence making it easy to offer services to the people.”
Currently in Rwanda, there are 120 MAJ workers in all regions of the country, where each district has at least 3 workers who help the people, especially those who are less privileged.
CERULAR is an organization which seeks to complement existing efforts by government and civil society organizations in deepening the culture of rule of law as well as upholding fundamental rights of citizens, especially the most vulnerable and disadvantaged persons of the society.
