Kigali, 22 May 2025 – Rwanda Law Reform Commission held its 1st Consultative Meeting on Legislative Development. The meeting brought together key stakeholders from the Justice Sector, Ministries, other State Organs, Civil Society Organizations, the Private Sector, and higher learning institutions.

The meeting was organized in line with the Criminal Justice Policy adopted by the Cabinet in 2022 which aims to harmonize and enhance the coordination of Rwanda's criminal justice system. 

The policy outlines several key principles aimed at establishing a people-centered rehabilitative justice system, reducing reliance on imprisonment, and promoting restorative justice practices for offenders and victims alike.

In this regard, Rwanda Law Reform Commission has been conducting a systematic analysis of Law No. 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offences and penalties in general to align it with the principles of the 2022 Criminal Justice Policy. 

It is within this framework that the Commission presented to the stakeholders preliminary findings from the ongoing review of the above-mentioned law along with proposed amendments to the first 90 articles covering the general principles of criminal law.

In addition to presentations, the meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders to offer inputs into the ongoing review, which will inform the ongoing review, and ultimately the reform of the justice system laws in line with the Criminal Justice Policy.

Rwanda Law Reform Commission plays a key role in supporting the Government’s goal of enhancing the criminal justice system based on fairness, dignity, and restorative mechanisms, and will continue to engage stakeholders in that effort.