New Law Reform Commission boss pledges greater legal literacy

Claudine Dushimimana, a legal professional with over two decades of experience, has been sworn in as the new Chairperson of the Rwanda Law Reform Commission. Dushimimana, a former National Prosecutor who was appointed by the Cabinet as head of the commission on July 16, pledged to prioritize making laws better known and more accessible to citizens, as well as ensuring the country’s legal framework keeps pace with its rapid economic development. The commission also has a new Secretary General, André Bucyana. ALSO READ: Avoid collision of laws, new law reform commission chief advised Dushimimana took the oath of office on Wednesday, July 30, in a ceremony held at the Supreme Court premises, presided over by Chief Justice Domitilla Mukantaganzwa. Speaking after her swearing-in, the new commission chairperson acknowledged the heavy responsibilities of her new role but expressed confidence in building on the foundation laid by her predecessors. “This is a position with enormous responsibilities, but it is not intimidating because the Commission is a well-established institution that has achieved a lot,” Dushimimana said. “I will add my contribution and work closely with everyone at the Commission to build on the strong foundation that is already in place.” She emphasized that her top priority will be to align existing and new laws with Rwanda’s fast-paced social and economic development. “One of the Commission’s core mandates is to review and analyze existing laws, amend them where necessary, and propose new laws in line with the country’s vision,” she said. “We must ensure that Rwanda’s development goes hand in hand with a modern and responsive legal framework.” 'Laws must be accessible' Another critical focus for Dushimimana is to ensure that Rwandans are aware of the laws that govern them. “Laws are made for citizens and directly concern them, so they must be accessible and understandable,” she said. “We will work with partners to strengthen platforms for legal awareness and ensure that even those who do not have access to the internet receive accurate legal information.” She added that her leadership would focus on continuing to build and maintain the Commission’s database, which serves as the official archive of all Rwandan laws. Chief Justice Mukantaganzwa commended Dushimimana’s appointment and emphasized the crucial role played by the commission. “The commission is entrusted with the important responsibility of reviewing existing laws to ensure they align with current realities,” Mukantaganzwa said. “It also provides technical guidance in drafting quality laws and serves as the official archive for all Rwandan laws. We welcome the new Chairperson and look forward to a productive partnership.” Who is Claudine Dushimimana? Dushimimana brings more than 20 years of experience in the legal profession, having practiced as a prosecutor at the National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA). She worked on various cases, including international crimes and transnational offenses. She has led strategic initiatives, contributed to legal education, and actively participated in policy drafting and judicial cooperation at both the national and international levels. Her professional experience includes serving as Acting Coordinator of the International Crimes Department at the NPPA, a National Prosecutor at NPPA, Chief Prosecutor at the Intermediate Level, and Head of the Law Department at ULK, among other roles. Dushimimana has also sat on numerous boards and committees, including the Steering Committee on the Plea-Bargaining Pilot Project, the National Counter-Terrorism Technical Committee, and the Rwanda Law Reporting Committee. She has delivered high-level consultancies and training sessions in areas such as criminal justice policy drafting, plea bargaining, human trafficking, and gender-based violence. She holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in Comparative Public Law and Good Governance from Utrecht University, Netherlands, and a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Kigali Independent University (ULK). She also earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice and a specialization certificate in International Crimes and Genocide Ideology from the Institute of Legal Practice and Development (ILPD).

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New Law Reform Commission boss pledges greater legal literacy