Rwanda is contemplating eradicating the statute of limitations for human trafficking offences, permitting prosecutions no matter when the crimes have been dedicated, as authorities search to beat the challenges of investigating circumstances by which victims and proof typically emerge years later.
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Minister of Justice and Lawyer Common Emmanuel Ugirashebuja mentioned discussions are underway on eradicating the limitation interval for human trafficking circumstances, given the complexity of the crime and the difficulties victims typically face in reporting offences and offering proof.
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Ugirashebuja mentioned this on Thursday, July 23, whereas showing earlier than the Senate Committee on International Affairs, Nationwide Unity and Safety, the place he introduced Rwanda’s efforts to stop and fight human trafficking. The minister mentioned human trafficking differs from many different crimes as a result of victims are sometimes unable to report offences instantly or present proof, particularly when they’re taken overseas and remoted by traffickers.
“We’re having discussions to discover how we are able to make this crime non-expiring, as a result of typically proof is found lengthy after the offence has been dedicated,” Ugirashebuja mentioned.
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He defined that some victims solely attain authorities establishments after escaping trafficking conditions, whereas others delay reporting due to the trauma they skilled.
In response to the minister, traffickers typically confiscate victims’ id paperwork and communication units, limiting their skill to contact their households or the authorities after arriving in vacation spot international locations.
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He mentioned treating human trafficking as a criminal offense with no limitation interval would permit investigations to proceed even when proof turns into out there after a few years.
“The rationale why such circumstances might be categorised as non-expiring crimes is that they’re very severe offences whose proof is just not at all times simple to acquire and will solely be found after a protracted interval,” he mentioned.
Ugirashebuja mentioned amassing proof stays one of many main challenges in prosecuting human trafficking circumstances, notably as a result of the crime typically entails a number of international locations.
“This can be a cross-border crime,” he mentioned, explaining that perpetrators might commit offences exterior Rwanda whereas focusing on Rwandan residents.
He cited the instance of a non secular chief who allegedly dedicated such a criminal offense exterior Rwanda however was later arrested after returning to the nation.
The minister mentioned Rwanda continues to strengthen cooperation with different international locations and construct the capability of establishments chargeable for investigating and prosecuting human trafficking circumstances.
In 2025, 11 human trafficking circumstances have been tried in courtroom, with 9 circumstances involving 12 people leading to convictions, in line with Ugirashebuja.
The variety of folks convicted of human trafficking stood at 18 in 2024 and 24 in 2023.
He mentioned the federal government can also be specializing in stopping trafficking by way of public consciousness campaigns, strengthened border screening mechanisms, and enhanced cooperation amongst establishments, noting that punishment alone can not undo the hurt suffered as soon as folks have already been trafficked.
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“The important thing measure we’re taking is mobilisation to stop it. Even for those who punish those that dedicated the crime after it has occurred, the hurt has already been performed,” Ugirashebuja mentioned.
Human trafficking offences, that are categorised as felonies underneath Rwanda’s authorized framework, are presently topic to a 10-year limitation interval, after which prosecution might not be attainable if authorized proceedings haven’t been initiated.
Beneath the 2018 regulation referring to the prevention, suppression and punishment of trafficking in individuals and exploitation of others, an individual convicted of trafficking in individuals faces imprisonment of between 10 and 15 years and a wonderful starting from Rwf10 million to Rwf15 million. The place the offence is transnational in nature, the penalty will increase to between 20- and 25-years’ imprisonment, together with a wonderful starting from Rwf20 million to Rwf25 million.
