Courtrooms handling children’s matters must have appropriate furniture, colours, and facilities that promote comfort and psychological safety. In addition, uniformed officers will not appear in these hearings, according to new instructions proposed by the Chief Justice. The instructions, presented by the judiciary this week, are part of the major steps the country is taking to strengthen child-friendly justice. The measures have already been discussed by relevant institutions, and if it all goes well, they are expected to take effect in January 2026. They are aimed at making the justice system safe, rehabilitative, and developmentally appropriate for children between 14 and 18 years old, the age bracket in which accountability for crimes applies in Rwanda. ALSO READ: Juvenile cases doubled in past four years – lawyers’ association What the draft instructions propose The draft Chief Justice’s Instructions include various proposals, such as ensuring that no child is detained with adults, whether at police stations, in transit, or in court settings. In addition, a female officer must accompany female children at all times, and child-friendly spaces must be available before and after court hearings. Children with disabilities must receive necessary accommodations, including accessible infrastructure and communication support such as sign language interpreters. ALSO READ: Juvenile justice speaks loud and clear for children’s rights Lawyers appearing in child cases should not wear gowns or wigs, to reduce intimidation and promote open communication, and legal practitioners must use child-friendly language and ensure the child understands the process. What loopholes does it come to address? Despite an already existing legal framework, children still encounter challenges within the justice system. Monique Mukamana, who leads child protection and care reform at the National Child Development Agency (NCDA), pointed out that the reality on the ground often falls short of legal guarantees. “One of the gaps is access to legal representation,” Mukamana said. “Children have the right to a lawyer just like adults, but in many cases, they appear in court unrepresented. And even when they have lawyers, you find files not thoroughly reviewed, or the children are encouraged to plead guilty without fully understanding the consequences.” She highlighted other challenges, such as children being sometimes interrogated without a parent, guardian, or social worker present, leaving them frightened and vulnerable. Some courts hear cases without parents or guardians, denying children the emotional and legal support they need. Although the law states that children should only be detained when the alleged offence carries a sentence of five years or more, sometimes cases where minors are arrested for petty offences, such as stealing electronics. Pre-trial detention limits are often exceeded, she said. For adults, pre-trial detention is 30 days; for children, it is 15 days, and this should never be extended. Yet some minors remain detained longer due to administrative delays or a lack of legal representation. “Justice for children is supposed to be rehabilitative, not punitive,” Mukamana emphasized. “We want them to understand their mistakes and return to school and society as responsible citizens.” Rwanda Bar Association president Moise Nkundabarashi commended the draft instructions, arguing that they will streamline their operation. Responding to the issue of a lack of legal representation. He disclosed that only about 40 lawyers currently handle child justice cases across the country, under a budget that has remained unchanged for a decade. “With a better budget, we could have more dedicated lawyers and ensure full coverage,” Nkundabarashi said. “The government has done a lot, but there is always room for improvement.” In total, 18,296 cases involving children were handled by the bar association between 2020 and September 2025. Judiciary spokesperson Harrison Mutabazi reaffirmed that while the number of children appearing before courts is not alarming, each case carries significant weight. “There may be only a few cases, but even one child deserves a justice system designed specifically for their needs,” he said. He stressed that the draft instructions aim to enhance protections from investigation to prosecution and trial, ensuring that children understand why they are in court and feel safe enough to express themselves. “These instructions complement existing child protection laws by focusing on the how, how to treat children, how to conduct proceedings, and how to ensure children are not harmed by the justice system,” Mutabazi noted. “A justice system that listens, protects, rehabilitates” Deputy Chief Justice Alphonse Hitiyaremye emphasized that the judiciary’s mission goes beyond legal processes; it is about safeguarding children’s dignity and future. “Our justice system must be child-friendly, gender-sensitive, rehabilitative, and restorative,” he said. “The way we treat children during their most vulnerable moments reflects our values as a society.” He urged participants to remember that many children entering the justice system have experienced trauma, neglect, or hardship. “A child-friendly justice system listens, protects, rehabilitates, and offers a second chance,” he said. “Every child deserves fairness, dignity, and compassion.”
