Keywords: Justice, Decentralization
The Rwandan Judiciary homegrown solution of district Access to Justice Bureaus (MAJ) bring judicial service closer to the citizens. It encompasses the implementation of alternative dispute resolution mechanism that provides free legal aid services to the community as well as raising legal awareness among the population. Through this initiative, the community benefits from free, easily available and affordable legal services.
The initiative of decentralizing the Ministry of Justice services to local level has significantly restored trust in justice system in Rwanda and further contributed to strengthening unity and reconciliation among Rwandans. The innovation is also a policy for equal participation, with the aim of removing the culture of impunity, strengthening the rule of law and a culture of peace and equal rights before the law for democratic governance. The initiative was founded on the need to meet the high demand and thirst for justice that could not be provided by formal courts alone. Secondly it responds to the need to establish community justice which is cheap, easily accessible, affordable and timely.