aid services across Rwanda, senators have identified persistent challenges that continue to limit many people's access to timely and effective justice.

The concerns emerged during a Senate plenary sitting on Thursday, July 23, as lawmakers considered a report by the Senate Committee on Governance and Human Rights on the state of legal aid services.

The report assessed institutions including the Access to Justice Bureau (MAJ), Abunzi committees, Isange One Stop Centres (IOSCs), and legal support for vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities.

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Outdated laws create legal gaps

The committee noted that Rwanda has yet to enact key laws governing legal aid and mediation, despite both being provided for under the 2014 Legal Aid Policy and the 2022 Alternative Dispute Resolution Policy.

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Committee chairperson Alfred Gasana said the absence of these laws has weakened coordination among legal aid providers and resulted in inconsistencies in service delivery.

He said the proposed legislation would strengthen coordination, improve service quality, and establish a clear legal framework for legal aid services.

Abunzi constrained by outdated mandate, limited resources

The committee found that Abunzi, Rwanda&039;s community mediators, continue to operate under a property value threshold that no longer reflects current economic realities.

Their jurisdiction remains limited to disputes involving property worth up to Rwf3 million, a threshold set in 2016 despite significant increases in property values.

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Gasana said this has forced many citizens to take disputes to court instead of using free community mediation services.

"Citizens are no longer benefiting as expected from the services provided by Abunzi because the value of properties has increased significantly," he said.

Beyond legal limitations, the committee said many mediators lack computers, smartphones and other equipment needed to perform their work efficiently. They also face challenges assessing the value of disputed property and travelling to dispute locations.

Senator Hadija Ndangiza Murangwa said government support provided around 2021, including smartphones and bicycles, had improved mediators' work but was no longer adequate.

"They also need computers because they are still preparing reports by hand," she said.

Low public awareness of legal services

The committee found that many citizens remain unaware of their legal rights and the services available to them, increasing the risk of losing their rights or becoming dissatisfied with legal decisions.

It recommended continuous legal education for citizens and local leaders on laws commonly used to resolve disputes.

MAJ grapples with staffing and transport shortages

According to the report, the Access to Justice Bureau (MAJ) continues to face shortages of staff, limited transport and low public awareness of its services.

These constraints reduce the bureau's ability to reach people in need of legal assistance, particularly those in remote areas.

Weak coordination among legal aid providers

Senator Valentine Uwamariya said coordination among organisations providing legal aid remains inadequate, with some institutions serving only specific categories of beneficiaries or operating in limited geographical areas.

She said stronger coordination would be critical as the government seeks to reduce court case backlogs under the second National Strategy for Transformation (NST2).

More support needed for people with disabilities

Lawmakers also called for stronger legal support for people with disabilities, particularly those with hearing impairments.

Ndangiza welcomed progress in expanding sign language interpretation services but said more capacity is still needed.

"There are currently more than 40 people who help those with hearing impairments, but there is still room for improvement," she said.

Responding to senators, Gasana said consultations with the Rwanda Bar Association showed there are currently 46 lawyers providing legal support to people with hearing impairments—a number the committee considers insufficient to meet demand.

Barriers persist for victims of sexual violence

The committee also highlighted challenges facing Isange One Stop Centres, which provide integrated services to survivors of gender-based violence.

These include delays in reporting cases, limited public awareness of available services, and instances where victims conceal the identities of perpetrators.

It also noted that districts with more than one IOSC often lack permanent MAJ staff, limiting access to legal assistance.

Court bailiffs need greater capacity

The report found that non-professional court bailiffs continue to face heavy workloads, inadequate legal knowledge and limited digital skills needed to enforce court decisions.

It also cited insufficient knowledge of the Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS) among some justice sector actors as another obstacle to efficient service delivery.

Concerns over expanding legal aid

While backing efforts to strengthen legal aid, Senator Evode Uwizeyimana cautioned against extending free legal representation without clearly defined eligibility criteria.

He warned that doing so could put pressure on public finances if demand exceeds available resources.

Gasana clarified that the proposed legal aid law would specify categories of people eligible for legal aid rather than making free legal representation universally available.

"The law would not allow everyone to be helped. It would define the categories of people who need legal aid," he said.

Next steps

Following the debate, the Senate recommended expediting the drafting of laws governing legal aid and mediation, as well as amendments to the law regulating the organisation, jurisdiction, powers and functioning of Abunzi committees.

Lawmakers said the reforms would strengthen coordination among legal aid providers, improve access to justice, and ensure legal services better respond to the needs of vulnerable citizens.