Mission and Functions

The general mission of the Ministry of Justice/Office of the Attorney General is to organize and to oversee the promotion of the rule of law, law enforcement and justice for all. Specifically, the Ministry of Justice/Office of the Attorney General is responsible for:

1° Developing, disseminating and coordinating implementation of policies, strategies and programmes through:

a.       Conception, elaboration and dissemination of national policies, strategies, laws and programmes to promote the rule of law, law enforcement and justice for all;

b.      Promotion of support mechanisms to the community programmes to enhance education of the population about laws and human rights and to promote access to justice;

c.       Promotion of cooperation between regional and international judicial institutions to improve the functioning of national judicial services.

2° Organizing and coordinating national legislation through:

a.       Elaboration of measures governing the administration of justice and the compliance with the Constitution;

b.      Putting in place measures aimed at guaranteeing the quality of the national judicial system regarding national reconciliation, fight against Genocide ideology, access to justice for all, fight against corruption and promotion of human rights;

c.       Putting in place measures aimed at improving legal drafting and harmonization of national laws and regulations with the international laws signed, acceded to or ratified by Rwanda.

3° Regulating the law enforcement sectors and related subsectors through:

a.       Elaboration of regulations governing the maintenance of public order safety and security of people and property inside the country;

b.      Implementation and dissemination of standards and norms applicable to law enforcement and correctional services.

4° Developing institutional and human resources capacities in law enforcement and correctional services;

5° Promoting cooperation between regional and international institutions in charge of law enforcement, public order and correctional services;

6° Providing legal advice and representation of the Government and its institutions through:

a.       Acting as Government technical adviser by providing requisite advice to Government and its institutions on legal matters;

b.      Representing the Government in disputes of any kind to which it is party at the national and international levels.

7° Ensuring the institutional capacity development of the Justice Sector to improve their organisation and functioning.

8° Monitoring and evaluating the implementation of policies, strategies and programmes of Justice Sector and allied entities through:

a.       Establishment and implementation of indicators to monitor and valuate the impact of the Justice Sector policies, strategies and programmes on development and access to justice;

b.      Consolidation of the data provided by the Justice Sector and decentralized institutions on justice matters;

c.       Preparation of periodical and annual reports to the Government on the impact of the policies, strategies, programs and projects on the rule of law in Rwanda;

d.      Mobilization of resources for the development of the Justice Sector and related programmes.