A high-level delegation led by Jamaica’s Minister of Justice and Chief Justice has concluded a Study Tour of Rwanda, highlighted by technical exchanges on Rwanda’s progressive work in alternative justice and technology-driven case management. 

Hosted by Rwanda's Ministry of Justice and coordinated by the Rwanda Cooperation Initiative from 7 to 10 November, the Study Tour was funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Multi Country Office in Jamaica under its continuing support to the local justice sector through Global Affairs Canada-funded projects.  

The eight-person delegation included: Minister of Justice, Hon. Delroy Chuck; Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Bryan Sykes; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Grace Ann Stewart McFarlane; UNDP Resident Representative, Denise Antonio; UNDP Assistant Resident Representative, Ava Whyte-Anderson; Director of Court Administration, Tricia Cameron Anglin; Director, ICT, Court Administration, Evrol Bell; Senior Director, Justice Policy, Analysis and Development in the Ministry of Justice, Rainee Oliphant.  

Consultations were convened with experts and leaders at the Kigali Arbitration Centre, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of ICT and Innovation, the Judiciary of Rwanda, Rehabilitation Centers, Rwanda Bar Association, and the Rwanda Information Society Authority.

The delegation's consultations on Alternative Justice Services focused on: Methodologies for efficient case disposal in mediation and arbitration; Rwanda's restorative justice mechanisms including its Gacaca courts; as well as child diversion policies and legal aid. Exchanges on Rwanda's Integrated Electronic Case Management System focused on enabling legislative and policy environment, data related protocols and capacity building.

Rwanda's post genocidal justice sector is world renowned for innovation in alternative justice services as well as for successful and increasing utilization of Information Communication Technology in the administration of justice. 

In an assessment of the mission, Minister Chick said: “Rwanda’s integrated electronic paperless system connecting investigation, prosecution, and court adjudication and their Correctional services should be replicated everywhere.” He said the Justice team has identified several areas that can be promptly duplicated and implemented and concluded that the UNDP-organized study tour was not only well organized but provided many opportunities to learn from Rwanda.  

UNDP Resident Representative Ms. Antonio said UNDP is committed to supporting Jamaica's vision for a fair, inclusive, and accessible justice system in furtherance of the Vision 2030 national goal number two. "This technical exchange provided a golden opportunity to glean best practices directly from the experts who operationalize Rwanda's justice system at the technical and policy levels. It was our privilege to tap into our global knowledge network, ably supported by our colleagues in the UNDP Rwanda Country Office, in order to make this south-south exchange possible."  

With support from Global Affairs Canada, UNDP has contributed to strengthening and reforming Jamaica's justice system since 2011 under the Justice Undertaking for Social Transformation (JUST) Project. 

A new chapter in Canada/UNDP support for justice sector reform began in late 2022 under a brand-new project designed to strengthen inclusive governance, rule of law and access to justice targeting the most vulnerable. The justice sector interventions are among several projects being implemented by UNDP under pillar two of UNDP's new Country Programme 2022 - 2026 focusing on Citizen Safety and Security and Rule of Law.