Rwanda is contemplating eradicating the statute of limitations for human trafficking offences, permitting prosecutions no matter when the crimes had been dedicated, as authorities search to beat the challenges of investigating circumstances during which victims and proof usually emerge years later.
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Minister of Justice and Legal professional Normal Emmanuel Ugirashebuja stated discussions are underway on eradicating the limitation interval for human trafficking circumstances, given the complexity of the crime and the difficulties victims usually face in reporting offences and offering proof.
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Ugirashebuja stated this on Thursday, July 23, whereas showing earlier than the Senate Committee on International Affairs, Nationwide Unity and Safety, the place he introduced Rwanda’s efforts to forestall and fight human trafficking. The minister stated human trafficking differs from many different crimes as a result of victims are sometimes unable to report offences instantly or present proof, particularly when they’re taken overseas and remoted by traffickers.
“We’re having discussions to discover how we will make this crime non-expiring, as a result of generally proof is found lengthy after the offence has been dedicated,” Ugirashebuja stated.
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He defined that some victims solely attain authorities establishments after escaping trafficking conditions, whereas others delay reporting due to the trauma they skilled.
Based on the minister, traffickers usually confiscate victims’ identification paperwork and communication gadgets, limiting their capacity to contact their households or the authorities after arriving in vacation spot international locations.
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He stated treating human trafficking as a criminal offense with out a limitation interval would enable investigations to proceed even when proof turns into accessible after a few years.
“The rationale why such circumstances may very well be categorised as non-expiring crimes is that they’re very severe offences whose proof isn’t all the time straightforward to acquire and should solely be found after a protracted interval,” he stated.
Ugirashebuja stated amassing proof stays one of many main challenges in prosecuting human trafficking circumstances, notably as a result of the crime usually includes a number of international locations.
“It is a cross-border crime,” he stated, explaining that perpetrators might commit offences exterior Rwanda whereas concentrating on Rwandan residents.
He cited the instance of a spiritual chief who allegedly dedicated such a criminal offense exterior Rwanda however was later arrested after returning to the nation.
The minister stated Rwanda continues to strengthen cooperation with different international locations and construct the capability of establishments liable for investigating and prosecuting human trafficking circumstances.
In 2025, 11 human trafficking circumstances had been tried in court docket, with 9 circumstances involving 12 people leading to convictions, in accordance with Ugirashebuja.
The variety of folks convicted of human trafficking stood at 18 in 2024 and 24 in 2023.
He stated the federal government can be specializing in stopping trafficking via public consciousness campaigns, strengthened border screening mechanisms, and enhanced cooperation amongst establishments, noting that punishment alone can’t undo the hurt suffered as soon as folks have already been trafficked.
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“The important thing measure we’re taking is mobilisation to forestall it. Even for those who punish those that dedicated the crime after it has occurred, the hurt has already been executed,” Ugirashebuja stated.
Human trafficking offences, that are categorised as felonies underneath Rwanda’s authorized framework, are presently topic to a 10-year limitation interval, after which prosecution might not be potential if authorized proceedings haven’t been initiated.
Below the 2018 regulation regarding the prevention, suppression and punishment of trafficking in individuals and exploitation of others, an individual convicted of trafficking in individuals faces imprisonment of between 10 and 15 years and a tremendous starting from Rwf10 million to Rwf15 million. The place the offence is transnational in nature, the penalty will increase to between 20- and 25-years’ imprisonment, together with a tremendous starting from Rwf20 million to Rwf25 million.
