Clear International

CLEAR in Rwanda: Lawyers of Hope

The Network of Lawyers of Hope in Rwanda ("LOH") was launched in late 2006 by a small fellowship of Christian lawyers inspired by the CLEAR projects in Kenya and Uganda, and moved by the needs in their own nation. As an association of Christian lawyers and law students, LOH seeks to reach out to the most vulnerable members of Rwandan society, in particular vulnerable children, prisoners and other needy people; to seek justice on their behalf; and to share with them Christ's love and compassion.

Sixteen years after the devastating genocide in Rwanda, the country is working hard to rebuild the justice system but access to justice is a significant problem due to high demand for legal services, busy prisons, and no legal aid system for vast majority of the population who cannot afford a lawyer.

After registering as a non governmental organisation ("NGO"), LOH has made significant progress in the period 2008-2010. Membership of the organisation by interested lawyers and law students has increased from 10 to 337. LOH moved to larger office premises in November 2008 to accommodate its increasing staff and to support the expanding ministry. LOH works in partnership with other organizations in the legal aid sector and is part of the Legal Aid Forum, the umbrella body for NGOs in the Justice, Reconciliation, Law and Order Sector ("JRLOS") in Rwanda.

In April 2010, LOH started a three year project in partnership with World Vision Rwanda to promote the rights of vulnerable children.  The focus is on cases of child sexual abuse, child physical abuse and child labour and the project aims to reduce the number of abuse cases and increase reporting to the authorities.  Working in partnership with World Vision Rwanda, LOH is providing legal education to vulnerable children as well as monthly legal advice clinics. 

Education seminars will also be delivered to local authorities, church leaders, police and key community-based organizations to empower them to better protect children and advocate for them.  Where abuse cases are identified, LOH provides access to its network of advocates who are able to represent affected children pro bono.  LOH also provides support to the police and criminal justice authorities to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

A key part of the work of LOH is student ministry, providing law students with opportunities to explore the impact of their faith on working in the law, and to gain experience by serving as volunteers or interns in the LOH office and in the field. LOH has established student groups in 4 of the 5 law schools in Rwanda, and in July 2010 hosted its second annual Student Conference for over 100 law students including a visiting team from the UK. The theme of the conference was "The Christian Lawyer's Contribution to a Just Society." The objective of the annual Student Conference is to increase fellowship and encourage students to take part in handling justice issues that Rwandan society is facing in the light of the word of God. The participants explored how to establish a just society and the Christian lawyer's contribution to that just society.