Rwanda is considering removing the statute of limitations for human trafficking offences, allowing prosecutions regardless of when the crimes were committed, as authorities seek to overcome the challenges of investigating cases in which victims and evidence often emerge years later.

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Minister of Justice and Attorney General Emmanuel Ugirashebuja said discussions are underway on removing the limitation period for human trafficking cases, given the complexity of the crime and the difficulties victims often face in reporting offences and providing evidence.

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Ugirashebuja said this on Thursday, July 23, while appearing before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, National Unity and Security, where he presented Rwanda’s efforts to prevent and combat human trafficking. The minister said human trafficking differs from many other crimes because victims are often unable to report offences immediately or provide evidence, especially when they are taken abroad and isolated by traffickers.

"We are having discussions to explore how we can make this crime non-expiring, because sometimes evidence is discovered long after the offence has been committed,” Ugirashebuja said.

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He explained that some victims only reach government institutions after escaping trafficking situations, while others delay reporting because of the trauma they experienced.

According to the minister, traffickers often confiscate victims’ identity documents and communication devices, limiting their ability to contact their families or the authorities after arriving in destination countries.

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He said treating human trafficking as a crime without a limitation period would allow investigations to continue even when evidence becomes available after many years.

"The reason why such cases could be categorised as non-expiring crimes is that they are very serious offences whose evidence is not always easy to obtain and may only be discovered after a long period,” he said.

Ugirashebuja said collecting evidence remains one of the major challenges in prosecuting human trafficking cases, particularly because the crime often involves multiple countries.

"This is a cross-border crime,” he said, explaining that perpetrators may commit offences outside Rwanda while targeting Rwandan citizens.

He cited the example of a religious leader who allegedly committed such a crime outside Rwanda but was later arrested after returning to the country.

The minister said Rwanda continues to strengthen cooperation with other countries and build the capacity of institutions responsible for investigating and prosecuting human trafficking cases.

In 2025, 11 human trafficking cases were tried in court, with nine cases involving 12 individuals resulting in convictions, according to Ugirashebuja.

The number of people convicted of human trafficking stood at 18 in 2024 and 24 in 2023.

He said the government is also focusing on preventing trafficking through public awareness campaigns, strengthened border screening mechanisms, and enhanced cooperation among institutions, noting that punishment alone cannot undo the harm suffered once people have already been trafficked.

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"The key measure we are taking is mobilisation to prevent it. Even if you punish those who committed the crime after it has occurred, the harm has already been done,” Ugirashebuja said.

Human trafficking offences, which are classified as felonies under Rwanda’s legal framework, are currently subject to a 10-year limitation period, after which prosecution may no longer be possible if legal proceedings have not been initiated.

Under the 2018 law relating to the prevention, suppression and punishment of trafficking in persons and exploitation of others, a person convicted of trafficking in persons faces imprisonment of between 10 and 15 years and a fine ranging from Rwf10 million to Rwf15 million. Where the offence is transnational in nature, the penalty increases to between 20- and 25-years’ imprisonment, along with a fine ranging from Rwf20 million to Rwf25 million.