Joseph Nkurunziza Ryarasa
@JosephRyarasa • 19,531 subscribers
|ED @NARwanda|Public Health Practitioner|Governance & Social Development Policy Analyst |Peace &Health| I Write What I Like-Steve Biko| Alumni @Uni_Rwanda
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Presumption of innocence: justice should not become punishment before trial A legitimate question for the duty bearer is this: Does due process permit an accused person to be publicly named, paraded in handcuffs, photographed, and have the allegations against them publicly listed before they have had a meaningful opportunity to present their side of the story? This question is not merely about preferred law-enforcement practice; it touches directly on a constitutional guarantee. Article 29(1)(b) of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda provides that everyone has the right “to be presumed innocent until proved guilty by a competent Court.” Constitutionally, therefore, a person who has been accused, arrested or detained does not become a criminal simply because allegations have been made against them. They remain presumed innocent unless and until a competent court establishes their guilt. If an accused person is expected to wait until appearing before a competent court to present their defence, should a similar degree of restraint not apply to public authorities? Why should allegations be communicated in ways that may create an impression of guilt before the evidence has been examined and tested through the judicial process? This is where the duty bearer should explain how the public presentation of suspects is reconciled with the presumption of innocence, human dignity, due process and the right to a fair trial. Law enforcement and public accountability are essential. Society must be protected, offences must be investigated, and those against whom sufficient evidence exists should face justice. But these objectives must be pursued within constitutional safeguards. How justice is administered matters just as much as the objective of holding people accountable. There is also a deeper human and social dimension that deserves attention. Could some of these practices unintentionally create or recycle wounds within individuals, families and communities? An arrest may last a few days or months, but a photograph, accusation or headline can remain online for years. In the digital age, the consequences of public exposure can outlive the criminal proceedings themselves. Search engines and social media do not necessarily distinguish between someone who was arrested and someone who was ultimately convicted. This raises an important question; What happens when someone who has already been publicly presented as an alleged offender is subsequently acquitted, or when the charges are dropped? Can the State fully restore that person’s reputation, employment opportunities, relationships and standing in the community? More importantly, will an acquittal receive the same publicity as the original arrest? The courts may ultimately clear someone, but society may continue remembering the photograph of that individual in handcuffs. We must also consider the consequences for families, particularly children. What does it mean for a child to repeatedly encounter photographs of a parent publicly displayed as an alleged criminal, only for that parent later to be cleared? The resulting humiliation, anger, mistrust and psychological wounds may extend far beyond the individual who was arrested. Sometimes, when we encounter adults struggling with anger, mistrust or other forms of difficult behaviour, we concentrate on what they are doing today without asking what they experienced when they were young. Institutions therefore have a responsibility to think not only about administering justice today, but also about the social and psychological consequences their methods may unintentionally carry into tomorrow. None of this means that suspected offenders should not be arrested, investigated or prosecuted. Where there is evidence, the law must take its course. Nor does the presumption of innocence prevent authorities from informing the public about legitimate investigations. The fundamental question is one of proportionality and constitutional principle: Can law enforcement remain firm, transparent and effective without turning arrest and accusation into a form of public punishment before a competent court has determined guilt? Article 29(1)(b) reminds us why that distinction matters. An accusation is not a conviction. An arrest is not proof of guilt. And the presumption of innocence must mean something not only inside the courtroom, but also in how institutions communicate and exercise their authority before judgment. 📹 Credit to Kigali Today
Joseph Nkurunziza Ryarasa42,045 views • 15 days ago
I remember when i was still Catholic, we would walk 14 km to the parish to confess our sins to a priest. By then i was around 9-12 years.I cherish that discipline. Listening to this clip, the first question that came to my mind was; How did we get here? Where did we go wrong? Between 1994 and around 2020, the story seemed different. There was a generation of public servants who worked with a strong sense of duty, sacrifice and responsibility. Many served selflessly, often without expecting the government to solve every problem for them. Families built survival from zero, they raised orphans, and contributed beyond their means. Today, we are enjoying the results of that effort full-time electricity, water, internet, and tarmacked roads. So what changed? Why have we reached a point where we always expect the government to intervene? What happened to our communities? What happened to our homes and families? As we rightly focus on planning for and investing in young people, we also need to swallow a bitter truth: the responsibility of raising children cannot be outsourced to government, schools, or institutions. Our homes and families have a fundamental role in shaping character, discipline, integrity, and a sense of responsibility. What we are seeing in society is, to a large extent, a reflection of what is happening in our homes. We can continue designing policies, programmes, and interventions for young people, but unless we go back to the basics parenting, values, discipline, community responsibility, and personal accountability moral decay will continue. I am not trying to be a prophet of doom. I am simply looking at the signs around us and trying to forecast where we could be heading if we don’t address the fundamentals. Otherwise we need to be appreciative to government because it’s carrying out it’s moral responsibility.
Joseph Nkurunziza Ryarasa33,939 views • 22 days ago
Congratulations! Some time ago, i shared this video with my daughter and told her, "When you grow up, strive to be like Michelle Umurungi." Your intelligence, humility, and strong team spirit have always stood out. I am confident that, together with the dedicated team at Rwanda Social Security Board, you will help move the institution from good to great. Wishing you every success in your new role as Deputy CEO. May this new chapter bring even greater impact and achievements to the Nation.
Joseph Nkurunziza Ryarasa52,499 views • 2 months ago
When the warning signs are in plain sight! There is an ongoing national conversation about youth delinquency. Government leaders have been meeting citizens across the country to discuss the issue and explore possible solutions. That is encouraging. But i sometimes wonder whether we are paying enough attention to what is happening right in front of us. Yesterday, one of Rwanda’s biggest artists performed at Kigali Arena. Looking around, i would estimate that nearly two-thirds of the audience were young people between the ages of 17 and 35. Many were students, while others were already working. One observation stood out to me. Those below 18 were mostly with friends and peers, not with their parents. That is understandable, as parents cannot be everywhere. What concerned me more was what happened after the concert. Many young people walked away carrying heniken and petite mizing bottles and cans of alcohol, while others had alcoholic syrups. It raised a simple question: should alcohol be sold inside venues that attract such a large number of young people? In many countries, alcohol is consumed in controlled environments like homes, bars, restaurants, hotels, or private events. Some even prohibit people from openly carrying alcohol in public spaces. Yet at large entertainment venues where thousands of young people gather, access can be remarkably easy. At the same time, we cannot ignore another reality. In many rural communities and urban suburbs, the bigger problem is not commercially sold alcohol, but illicit and unregulated brews. These products continue to harm lives and, in some cases, cause permanent damage to people’s health. Addressing youth substance abuse therefore requires looking at both ends of the problem: what happens in our cities and what happens in our villages. Youth behaviour also reflects changing social and economic realities. Many of us grew up in households where resources were scarce. Our parents, relatives, and neighbours expected us to study hard, work hard, and contribute to lifting our families out of poverty. That responsibility shaped our choices. Today’s young people face different circumstances. Some from middle- and upper-income families grow up without the same economic pressures, so social recognition can easily become a substitute for purpose. Others, especially those from disadvantaged communities, face unemployment, limited opportunities, and inadequate guidance, making them far more vulnerable to alcohol and drug abuse. These are different backgrounds, but they present equally critical challenges. This is why I believe we need a deeper societal conversation. During Umuganda, citizens’ assemblies, parents’ evenings at schools, youth forums, and even meetings of registered political parties, how much time do we actually spend discussing the issues quietly shaping the next generation? Rwanda does not lack spaces for dialogue. What we sometimes lack is the willingness to use those spaces to confront the real issues affecting our communities. Preventing youth delinquency is not only the responsibility of parents or the police. It requires families, local leaders, schools, religious institutions, businesses, and communities to work together. When warning signs are visible but go unaddressed, we should all pause and ask whether we are paying enough attention to the future we are shaping.
Joseph Nkurunziza Ryarasa19,250 views • 1 month ago
I am heading out to unwind this year has been tough on my side. I am spending time with young people because we need to stay close to them and understand their realities. I am even using Spiro to experience firsthand why there are so many complaints around motorbikes. That said, let’s enjoy responsibly. Please don’t drink and drive. #FestiveFun #FestiveSeason
Joseph Nkurunziza Ryarasa58,074 views • 8 months ago
Have a great day! We need to invest in Mental Health. #MentalHealthMatters
Nkurunziza Joseph Ryarasa43,809 views • 9 months ago
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