News: Huye residents urged to settle disputes at community level

Residents of Karama Sector in Huye District have been told to try solving cases at community level instead of dragging wrangles to conventional courts of law, which consume a lot of money and time.
Addressing the residents last week, Africa Karake, the complaints investigations officer at the Office of the Ombudsman, said the other important advantage of communally solving disputes, is that it fosters cohesion in the community.

Karake was speaking as officials from the Office of the Ombudsman visited the sector to sensitise people against corruption and how better they can work locally to solve some of the issues affecting them.

The event also helped the officials receive complaints from the grassroots, where the majority of the cases brought up were land-related.

Other cases involved Gacaca cases that were adjudicated but property or reparations were not given to those entitled.

Jean Damascene Ruzindana won a property case before Gacaca court, but years later, he is yet to be compensated for the property lost during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

“There is a person living in a house whose doors were looted from my home during the Genocide, there are other people who destroyed my house but I only got Rwf75,000 of the Rwf1,602,000 the Gacaca court awarded me in damages,” Ruzindana said.

Karake said unlike in the past where a convict paid out of goodwill, the law today is the rule.
“The property of the person who owes compensation can be attached and auctioned in case they are not willing to pay,” Karake said.

This financial year, districts targeted for outreach activities by the Office of the Ombudsman include Gatsibo, Muhanga, Nyanza, Huye and Nyabihu.

Source:


http://www.newtimes.co.rw/section/article/2015-02-16/186025/

News: Meeting to discuss the Research done on the increase of court fees and its consequences

Today on 05th February 2015, AJPRODHO – JUJUKIRWA organized a meeting to discuss about the research carried out about the increase of court fees and probable consequences to justice service delivery. The guest of honor was the Minister of Justice and Attorney General Busingye Johnston.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General explained to the participants that increasing court fees was being done even before depending on the value of money.  “Increasing court fees does not depend on the purchasing power capacity of the consumers of justice services. If you want to buy a shirt to wear, the price will not decrease or increase depending on the fact that you have money or not” Minister Busingye explained. “What Rwandans need to know is that justice has a price” He added. The Government invests money in all court procedures to make sure that everything is in place.

Minister Busingye Johnston emphasized that a vulnerable citizens is supported by Government and some of such legal aid mechanisms for poor people is that they are given legal aid support without paying anything.  At each District there is a legal advisor who is supposed to represent poor people in courts.  There are also other Non Government Organizations that represent vulnerable people in courts. This was done to assist poor citizens so that they can get chance in their court proceedings.

Minister took the opportunity to request all Rwandans that before deciding to go to court they should first seek for advice from legal advisors located at each District and respect the advice thereof. “If you become stubborn and refuse to respect the advices given by legal advisors and you proceed to courts, we will represent you if you are poor, but when you loose the case and requested to pay, your vulnerability will not work.  You will be requested to pay and you will do it” Minister emphasized. 

Source:http://www.minijust.gov.rw/media-center/news/news-details/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=341&cHash=1cc351e4640a7d9196447bf0c83d2e6c

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Job Advert - LandNet Rwanda Chapter and RISD Communication Officer

Job Advert - LandNet Rwanda Chapter and RISD Communication Officer - Sept 2014

LandNet Rwanda Chapter and the Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable Development (RISD), wish to recruit a Communications Officer, and the closing date to receive the applications is 30th September 2014. 

Please send your application to the Director, RISD through info@risdrwanda.org Phone calls or hard copy delivery disqualifies your application.

- 1 Year Contract Renewable
- Agency: RISD & LandNet Rwanda Chapter
- Start date: October 2014
- Funded: This is a local expert position funded by GIZ-Rwanda

Please find the full job description here:
http://www.risdrwanda.org/spip.php?article212

New RISD Publication on Land in Rwanda

The LandNet Rwanda Chapter Organization and coordinator 'Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable Development' (RISD) published a new working paper on land in Rwanda:

Securing Land Rights Project: A Working Paper on Land Tenure Regularization in Rwanda

Summary by Robin Palmer (Global Land Rights Policy Specialist at Mokoro)

'There is a distinct gap between conceptions of land deployed by the Land Tenure Regularization Program (LTRP) framework and the law and how rural Rwandans perceive and use land. Argues that land mediates relationships between people and any attempt to transform land must also take into account these relationships. Many people have left their titles at the registration office because of prohibitive fees and taxes. Over 85% of open land disputes are on parcels that have already been registered through LTRP, while registration is activating latent disputes and creating new disputes. Access to land is becoming more precarious and people are losing a sense of belonging. Inheritance is the single most frequent cause of land disputes. Far from streamlining dispute resolution, the LTRP appears to have done the opposite. Entire families are losing their access to land through the registration process. Found that the Abunzis (local mediators) were unclear about the land laws but were the ideal actors to bridge the gaps. The banks have no use for land or land titles. Concludes that despite all the problems listed, a land titling program like the LTRP is urgently needed in Rwanda.'

Download (566K pdf) from the RISD website here

Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable Development (RISD) TERMS OF REFERENCE Communication Officer/LandNet Rwanda Chapter Program Officer

Job Advertisement

Communication Officer/LandNet Rwanda Chapter Program Officer

Rwanda Initiative for Sustainable Development (RISD) is a local NGO that is based on policy research, networking and advocacy. For the past Thirteen Years, RISD has focused on land policy as the main area of policy engagement. This is done through networking with other civil society organizations and advocacy with policy makers. 

RISD Vision is To ensure equitable access to land resources for sustainable peace, social justice and economic stability. 

RISD MISSION is To promote, advocate and foster social and economic transformation by Rwandans themselves through sustainable use and protection of Natural Resources towards poverty reduction in an equitable and participatory manner. 

One of the key networks that RISD coordinates is the LandNet Rwanda Chapter. LandNet is an Africa-wide network that brings together policy makers, academicians and civil society to work on land related issues. These issues are especially related to land reform and land policy implementation, including land dispute management and mitigation. 

LandNet Mission is To contribute to equitable and sustainable land reform through inclusive actions and processes. 

LandNet Goal is To build a network that promotes dialogue and partnership between government, civil society, donors and the grassroots on issues relating to land. 

To Achieve RISD and LandNet’s Vision and Mission, a need has been identified to hire a Program Officer responsible for an Advocacy and Communication Officer in RISD who doubles as the Program Officer of LandNet Rwanda Chapter, with the following Terms of Reference: 

Responsibilities

• a. Develop Communication Strategy and its implementation Strategy for RISD and specific projects
• b. Develop, Monitor Annual Work Plan for LandNet Rwanda Chapter and present reports to the Steering Committee and Members.
• c. Design, produce and disseminate Public Information Awareness materials
• d. In charge of updating RISD and LandNet Social media.
• e. Responsible for disseminating information and key messages to partners of RISD & LandNet Rwanda Chapter, while ensuring the promotion of compliance with RISD’s and LandNet’s identity, values and principles.
• f. Initiate News Briefs and Press Release for the land advocacy messages.
• g. Ensure a close connection to LandNet members and other networks.
• h. Develop Strategies for Strengthening LandNet Rwanda Chapter Members.
• i. Maintain a good working relation with Media and Government Institutions.
• j. Organize events and workshops for RISD and LandNet including organization of the Annual Land Dialogue Event.

Qualification/Education:

University degree in Communication/ Journalism/ Public Relations/Mass media/Multi Media/International Relations or connected subject 

Experience:

• a) Proven experience in communication, campaign, public relations and knowledge management
• b) Experience in designing and use of Public Information and Awareness (PIA) Tools as well as Information Education Communication Methodology (IECM)
• c) Proven experience in synopsis and messages writing
• d) Practical experience in communication and campaign approaches
• e) Experience in targeting opinion and influencing groups at the grassroots
• f) Experience in Lobbying and advocacy strategies
• g) Experience in using social networks (website, twiter, facebook, blog, skype) as an influencing advocacy and campaign tool
• h) Excellent Technical and Analytical use of English language. French is an added asset
• i) General knowledge on land policies is an added asset
• j) Strong networking skills both with NGOs, government institutions and private sector
• k) Regional/international experience is an added advantage
• l) Ability to work as a team, with flexibility and innovation

Expression of interest should be sent to info@risdrwanda.org with CV and 3 reference letter including one from the most recent employer. Phone calls are not acceptable. Interested candidate MUST be a Rwandan or someone who is near to Rwandan nationality by culture and local context understanding, and able to speak Kinyarwanda fluently; Available immediately to start the job. Application deadline 7th February 2014.