After years of research and opinion polls, Members of the Lower Chamber of Parliament will today resume discussions on the amendment of the country’s 30-year Penal Code.

The development follows recommendations made by a special committee selected by the Ministry of Justice to sample Rwandans’ views on the possibility of reforming the country’s Penal Code.

The eight-member committee gathered the views and scrutinised the opinions collected from the masses and compiled a report which was handed to Cabinet.

The views under scrutiny were collected from all organs responsible for implementing laws - including the Police, Military, Judiciary, civil society organisations, and opinion leaders. 

The reform is a government initiative geared towards promoting good governance, political stability and justice for all citizens.

Parliamentary discussion that began in July this year yielded the endorsement of close to 100 new articles.

The laws contained in the Penal Code established in 1978 that the government seeks to reform include, among others, laws on terrorism crimes, genocide, those related to drug abuse, motor vehicle theft, and fraud.

Upon revision, the Penal Code will clearly specify on the prosecution and subsequent punishment of culprits, rendering the work of prosecution easier than it has been.

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