APA – Kigali (Rwanda) – The European Union (EU) on Monday extended a €19.5 million (21.5 million USD) grant to Rwanda to help €19.5 million to help this East African country enhance its justice and reconciliation efforts.
The grant is expected to play a vital role in realizing the objectives set forth by Rwanda’s Justice, Reconciliation, Law and Order Sector (JRLOS) Strategic Plan 2018-2024, aiming to enhance justice delivery, foster inclusivity, and reinforce human rights, it said.
Rwandan Minister of Finance and Planning, Uzziel Ndagijimana, who witnessed the signing ceremony said the grant will especially contribute to strengthening the capacity of the Justice sector by consolidating reconciliation, and a just and equitable society as a foundation for economic development for all in Rwanda.
“By streamlining legal aid support, the initiative will work toward universal and affordable justice for all, with a strong focus on inclusivity for vulnerable groups as well as respect for human rights,” the senior Government official said.
Speaking in the same vein, Calvo Uyarra, Ambassador of EU to Rwanda said that there is continued cooperation between the EU and Rwanda since the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi by strengthening the justice sector and they will continue doing so as the country works towards Vision 2050.
She added that the EU is working with member states to fast-track justice delivery by bringing to book Genocide fugitives in Europe.
Under the first component, the action will enhance the professionalism and skills of key justice sector actors, including the Ministry of Justice, the Judiciary, the National Prosecution Authority, the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB), the Rwanda National Police (RNP), and the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR).
The second component will concentrate on reconciliation, rehabilitation, and unity, supporting the Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS) and civil society, it said.
CU/abj/APA