{Research carried out by Legal Aid Forum regarding citizens’ perception on delivered judicial services has indicated that 87% are satisfied with legal aid assistance while only 38.5% are satisfied with how community mediators resolve conflicts. }
The research was carried out in 30 districts countrywide taking the sample of 5 503 in each.
The research assessed citizens’ access to fair justice, justice services decentralization, awareness on existence of judicial assistance and its reach.
It also analyzed how conflicts are resolved by courts and community mediators, execution of court cases and citizens’ awareness of their rights.
45% of citizens expressed trust in local leaders, 95% satisfied by MAJ, 96% satisfied with legal aid provided by private practitioners while 84% are satisfied with how courts resolve conflicts.
Munyamahoro Rene, the chairman of legal aid forum has said that having 61.5% not satisfied with conflict resolution by community mediators is in most cases the result of corruption.
“Agents of community mediation claim that citizens don’t trust them because they share many things on daily basis like entertainment, leisure and religious values. They feel like they are receiving unfair justice considering that the community mediators are their peers,” he said.
He however explained that 90% of decisions of community mediators were approved by courts.
Netherlands ambassador to Rwanda, Frederick de Man has said that Rwanda has achieved a lot in the judiciary sector noting however that the research outcomes highlight the need to strengthen performance in some areas.
“The Ministry of Justice and its partners have achieved a lot but community mediators’ capacity is still a matter that can’t be solved by money and trainings. How can we change mindsets of citizens who perceive them as an unfair and corrupt body?” he said.
He stressed the need to conduct research to explore why citizens don’t trust community mediators as a body established as part of Rwanda homegrown solutions.
Justice Sector Secretariat Coordinator, Nabahire Anastase has said that most of those dissatisfied with community mediators are the defeated ones in conflict cases.
“It is advisable for Rwandans to trust community mediators again because it can help us build peace at home, in villages and sectors. They have to avoid filing complaints in court,” he said.
The research also indicated that 51% of Rwandans are unaware of their rights while 83% don’t know laws regarding bail application and remand.
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