1. BY JEAN CLAUDE RWIBASIRA LEGAL AND POLICY COORDINATOR, TI-RWANDA
CSOs involvement in reviews and in the greater context of the fight against corruption: Rwanda experience
Addis Ababa, April 10th, 2019
BY JEAN CLAUDE RWIBASIRA
LEGAL AND POLICY COORDINATOR, TI-RWANDA

2. ABOUT TI-RW Mission Vision
Transparency International Rwanda (TI-RW) is a Rwandan civil society organization created in 2004
Accredited as national chapter of Transparency International in September 2011
Our focus is on four thematic pillars:
Preventing and combating corruption,
Promotion of rule of law, transparency and accountability,
Communication building and evidence-based advocacy,
Citizen engagement.
Our mission is to contribute to the fight against corruption and promote good governance through enhancing integrity in the Rwandan society.
Mission
Zero tolerance to corruption in the Rwandan society.
Vision

3. Mechanisms to collect evidence on corruption and injustices
Information
Research
ALAC Centers
IFATE & Toll free 2641
Outreach & Legal Mobile Clinics
Integrity Pact
Social Media
Suggestion Boxes
Partnerships
CSOs, AJICs &
GOR INST.
Committees of Concerned Citizens

4. Examples of joint actions

5. Meetings, events and joint projects
Unity is strength
UNCAC Reviews
1st & 2nd Cycles
MOUs: APNAC,
OMBUD.
RIB
NPPA
CSOs
Meetings
Sharing of information & referrals
Campaigns on raising public awareness
National Anti-corruption Advisory Council
Joint Project:
Sobanuzainkiko.org
Trainings
Research projects
Conferences
Corruption month

6. good practices in involving CSOs in the fight against corruption
Together against corruption
2. CSOs promote vertical accountability
empowering the citizens to hold their government accountable for its actions
3. CSOs as watchdog of the government’s actions
monitor and measure progress towards the implementation of commitments made the government of Rwanda
5. CSOs Conduct advocacy activities
change in how things are being done
6. CSOs conduct research and measurement of corruption
contribute to the fight against corruption
4.CSOs as informant of policy dialogue
depth knowledge of the local population
1. CSOs as powerful internal pressure mechanism
representatives of citizens and pursue the goals of general interest

7. CSO involvement in the review mechanism
How are they involved?
TIR participated in the first cycle of UNCAC review as the Civil society representative (part of Governmental Experts from July 2013)
What should be improved?
- Involvement of CSOs at the earlier stage
- Possibility of producing a shadow report?
How did they help?
Sharing of information: researches conducted, etc.

8. Measures taken after the first cycle of reviews
Laws
The Law on assets recovery (2015)
Whistle-blowers protection law (2017) to enhance the protection of whistle blowers
The Anti-corruption law (2018)
Anti-money laundering law (2018)
Preventive measures
ICT tools and systems:
E-services
Reporting tools: sobanuzainkiko.org, etc
Joint Awareness campaigns
Corruption month
Outreach activities at the Cell assemblies:
Inteko z’Abaturage

9. Lessons learnt
The review involving CSOs has proved to be successful because:
the CSOs bring in their in-depth knowledge of corruption issues;
CSOS advise on different mechanisms to put in place in order to improve the current situation.
The fight against corruption should be a “collective responsibility”, not the monopoly of the government.

10. Thank you!