Group photo for Judges and EACJ staff with the Chief Justice Hon. Sam Rugege (M), Minister for EAC Affairs Republic of Rwanda Hon. Valentine Rugwabizi (2nd L), EACJ Judge President, Hon. Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja (2nd R), Former EACJ Judge President, Hon. Harold Nsekela (Last L)and Representative of Sweden, in Kigali (last R)
East African Court of Justice Arusha September 2014: The East African Court of Justice Workshop for the Judges of the National Courts and the Civil Society Organizations on the role of the Court in the East African Community integration has been officially opened by the Chief Justice of the Republic of Rwanda, Hon. Sam Rugege at Lemigo Hotel, Kigali.
The Hon. Chief Justice has encouraged the judges of the Rwandan judiciary and the Civil Society organizations to understand more how the EACJ functions and be able to use it by referring cases to the Court for determination if there disputes arises that may require interpretation of the Regional Court.
Hon. Rugege further urged the Judges and Civil society organisations to unfold the two untapped areas of potential of EACJ. That is Article 34 of the Treaty, which creates a mechanism through which national courts when faced with a question of interpretation or application of the Treaty can seek the guidance of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) to give a preliminary ruling on the matter. The purpose of the ruling is to enable a particular national court before which the question has arisen, to give its judgment on the original matter. He also mentioned Article 32 of the Treaty which provides for arbitration within the EACJ and which has not been fully utilized. Hon. Rugege strongly told the participants to take advantage of these areas that are within the jurisdiction of the EACJ.
“I appreciate with great humility that the Court has now moved to the next level to engage in valuable discussion with the Stakeholders in the Partner States specifically the National Courts, members of the Bar Associations, the office of the Director of Public Prosecution and Attorney Generals’ office. This is an amicable way of awareness creation that the national courts should at once take heed of by instituting and referring cases to EACJ. As East Africans we should be proud of our regional Court, build it and propel it to the highest level of judicial standards.” Hon. Rugege noted.
The Minister for East African Community Affairs Hon. Valentine Rugwabiza commended the EACJ for realizing the need for the East Africans to be informed on the role of the regional Court especially at a time when the Partner States are in implementation process of the EAC Customs Union, Common Market and Monetary Union Protocols. “This is a critical period where many disputes may arise which requires regional judicial resolutions with the support of the national judiciaries. However, much as we appreciate the efforts made to have this event a milestone, there is a lot that needs to be done for citizens to fully access justice rendered by the regional court”. Hon. Minister said.
Hon. Rugwabizi also told the participant that the presence of the Judges, Civil Society, Private Sector, Legal Fraternity, academia, Media among others demonstrated great importance attached to the Court as it focuses on protecting the rights and addressing the needs of the citizens through access to justice by the East African Court of Justice.
The Judge President of the EACJ, Hon. Justice Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja in his remarks said that, it is an honour for the East African Court of Justice to be present in Rwanda with a great distinguished penal of personalities who have come to grace the ground breaking two day workshop their busy schedules. Justice Ugirashebuja added that the future effectiveness of the Court will largely depend in its relationship with national Courts. He further said that role of the national courts is very crucial in the development of the EAC Laws through the channel of preliminary references. “Together we can give hope to all those who clamor for resurgent East Africa and a region of greater equality, peace and harmonious development” Justice Ugirashebuja remarked.
The representative of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights, Head Office Kenya, Mr. Josh Ousted thanked the EACJ for the good cooperation and partnership and pledged continuous support of the Court in increasing visibility to promote the Regional Integration agenda.
The workshop was attended by the Judges of the National Courts, Members of the Civil Society Organization, Private Sector, Academia, legal institutions, and media. In attendance also was the representative from the Embassy of Sweden in Kigali, Ms. Maria Hakanson, the EACJ Judge President Justice Harold R. Nsekela, and Hon. Justice Prof. John Eudes Ruhangisa Judge of the High Court United Republic of Tanzania, Ms. Geraldine Umugwaneza, Ag. Registrar of the East African Court of Justice and other Judges of the National Courts of Rwanda.
For more information, please contact:
Ms. Geraldine Umugwaneza Registrar East African Court of Justice
Email: umugwaneza@eachq.org
Owora Richard Othieno, Head of Department;
Corporate Communications and Public Affairs;
Tel: +255 784 835021; Email: othieno@eachq.org