Though progress has been made in preventing corruption inside courts, the battle shouldn’t be but over, based on Justice Charles Kariwabo, the outgoing president of the judiciary anti-corruption committee.
Talking in the course of the handover ceremony held on the Supreme Court docket on Might 15, Kariwabo expressed confidence that the newly appointed committee would proceed strengthening integrity and accountability throughout the judiciary.
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“We imagine that corruption has not but ended within the courts, however its roots have already been uncovered,” he mentioned.
“Those that have accomplished their mandate have laid the muse; we additionally raised the partitions and those that will change us will put up a powerful roof. In all this, it’s not us who ought to boast, however the citizen who ought to reap the fruits of what we do, since he’s our essential employer.”
Kariwabo famous that one of many essential challenges confronted by the outgoing committee was acquiring details about corruption involving court docket workers and residents.
He recommended that the brand new committee ought to prioritize public consciousness campaigns encouraging residents to report judicial workers who request bribes. He additionally emphasised the necessity to deal with corruption loopholes inside court docket operations, saying corruption shouldn’t solely be seen because the trade of cash, but in addition embrace weaknesses that undermine the justice supply.
The anti-corruption committee was established in 2022 to supervise efforts geared toward combating corruption throughout all ranges of courts. Its tasks embrace monitoring court docket operations, reporting corruption tendencies, figuring out loopholes that make courts weak to corruption, and proposing measures to shut these gaps.
Talking in the course of the handover ceremony, Chief Justice Domitilla Mukantaganzwa referred to as on judges, court docket clerks, and different judicial workers to stay dedicated to preventing corruption and upholding integrity inside Rwanda’s judiciary.
“Preventing corruption is the duty of all of us,” Mukantaganzwa mentioned.
“I urge judges, clerks, and different judicial workers to comply with the legislation and battle corruption, in order that the picture of our nation’s judiciary can additional enhance and the belief Rwandans have within the judiciary can additional enhance.”
The incoming committee president, Angéline Rutazana, who can also be a decide on the Court docket of Attraction, pledged to proceed strengthening the battle towards corruption within the judiciary.
She thanked the judiciary management for entrusting her with the duty and acknowledged that there have been nonetheless gaps requiring consideration.
“When corruption is fought on the judicial stage, that additionally reaches the people who find themselves ready for justice,” she mentioned.
Rutazana added that her earlier expertise, together with serving as Inspector Common of Courts, would assist her contribute successfully to anti-corruption efforts throughout the judiciary.
