Justice, Reconciliation, Law, and Order Sector (JRLOS) Peer Review Retreat

Certa Foundation was invited to participate in the 10th Justice, Reconciliation, Law, and Order Sector (JRLOS) Peer Review Retreat,  held on October 28-29, 2024, at the EPIC Hotel in Nyagatare District. Ms. Lydia Taima (Director of the Center for Justice and Advocacy) and Mr. Geoffrey Kabagambe (Program Associate at the Center for Law and Innovation) represented Certa Foundation at the retreat. The retreat provided an essential platform for assessing Rwanda’s justice sector progress and aligning it with international human rights obligations.

Co-organized with the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Stakeholders Retreat, the event brought together government institutions, civil society, and development partners to discuss key achievements and challenges. Participants highlighted the importance of collaboration among JRLOS stakeholders to enhance justice delivery, with networking fostering stronger partnerships. A comprehensive assessment of the 160 UPR recommendations underscored the need for strategic implementation as Rwanda prepares for its fourth UPR cycle in 2026. Discussions on transitioning from the National Strategy for Transformation 1 (NST1) to NST2 emphasized strategic planning based on past experiences to sustain progress.

The retreat also focused on aligning JRLOS objectives with human rights commitments to promote citizens’ freedoms and stability, improving mechanisms like IECMS and juvenile representation. Additionally, reinforcing Rwandan cultural values emerged as a key strategy, with examples such as Gacaca and Alternative Dispute Resolution serving as effective justice solutions. The event provided invaluable insights, and CERTA Foundation is committed to incorporating these strategies to advance justice delivery in Rwanda in line with both national and international frameworks.

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