Introduction to Rwandan Law

Book excerpt: This book explores key innovations in Rwandan law, exploring how the homegrown legal system with the civil law and common law legal systems. The author explores the history of Rwandan law through pre-colonial, to colonial and post-independence periods, examines the homegrown legal and justice approaches, such as Gacaca, Abunzi and Imihigo, introduced in post genocide Rwanda to deal with legal problems that could not be dealt with using the western legal system; and highlights the innovative Rwandan approach to incorporating international law in the domestic legal system. The book also covers the evolution of the Rwandan Constitutional Law and Constitutionalism since independence; the development of family law from a legal system that oppressed women to one that promotes girls and women rights. Finally, the book explores the contribution of common law in the transformation of the organization, jurisdiction and functioning of Rwandan Courts. This book will be of interest to scholars and students of African law, international law and the legal system in Rwanda.