Visions of Rwanda Photo Project
Leopold Mujyambere is a Gacaca* judge in Kanombe sector in Kigali. His daughter was killed before his eyes during the genocide. Leopold’s photographs depict various aspects of daily life in Rwanda.
* The Rwandan government began implementing a participatory justice system, known as gacaca, (pronounced GA-CHA- CHA) in 2001 in order to address the enormous backlog of cases in the judicial system. Communities elected judges to hear the trials of genocide suspects accused of all crimes except planning of genocide or rape. Those who are accused of looting or murder and who have pleaded guilty receive provisional release and can go home while awaiting trial. Rwanda continues to use the classical national court system to try those involved in planning genocide or rape under normal penal law. Those that are accused of these crimes do not benefit from provisional release. The gacaca courts give lower sentences if the person is repentant and seeks reconciliation with the community. These courts are intended to help the community participate in the process of justice and reconciliation for the country.