ABSTRACT
In Rwanda, the criminal justice system is facing significant challenges due to the rising number of criminal cases filed in the courts. This increase has resulted in prolonged pre-trial detention for suspected criminals. The filing of cases by prosecutors continues to increase yearly, placing a substantial workload on the system and its officials namely, judges, prosecutors, and investigators, whose numbers are not increasing proportionally. Although various reforms have been introduced to ease this judicial congestion, the situation has not improved. This chapter explores Rwanda’s judicial system to understand its interpretation and implementation of the right to a speedy trial. It examines the crucial roles of prosecutors and defence attorneys in protecting this fundamental right for suspects. Furthermore, the chapter identifies the factors that require these legal professionals to protect this right, as well as the challenges that suspects encounter in exercising it. By focusing on the practice in Rwanda, this chapter provides an overview of the relevant laws and case law relating to the right to a speedy trial.
