Burundian family rejects child born to Rwandan mother

GISAGARA — A Rwandan widow in Kibirizi Sector, Gisagara District has complained that the family of her Burundian husband is rejecting their child.

Sunday, August 02, 2009

GISAGARA — A Rwandan widow in Kibirizi Sector, Gisagara District has complained that the family of her Burundian husband is rejecting their child.

Gloriose Twagirayezu, told officials of AJPRODHO-JIJUKIRWA, who were offering free legal aid to residents in the district, that after the child was rejected, she didn’t know where to address the case.

"My child and I were rejected by the family. I was not informed about where I could direct this case. But I have been advised to seek assistance from local administration to deal with this case,” Twagirayezu told The New Times.

The residents were attending legal awareness meeting as part of activities to mark the Legal Aid Week.

Residents who talked to this reporter at Kibirizi sector said they were satisfied by explanations they were given about different legal issues.

Many of them reported cases that they thought could be followed up, especially those related to property wrangles.
Cansilde Musabyimana, one of the residents reported, "We have had a land case  with family members which has dragged on for the last five years.

The court has several times ruled in my favor but the complainants keep appealing. I came to ask what I could do,” Musabyimana said.

Esra Gasangwa, the coordinator of AJPRODHO-JIJUKIRWA, observed that creating legal awareness will help resolve more wrangles.

"Some people’s cases drag on for years and years because complainants lack adequate information. Our aim was to help people understand where each case should be directed,” he said. 

The Legal Aid week was organised by the Ministry of Justice in collaboration with the Legal Aid Forum, the Bar Association and other institutions members of the justice sector.

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