REPUBLIC OF RWANDANATIONAL COMMISSION FOR THE FIGHT AGAINST GENOCIDE

1. INTRODUCTION

The National Commission for the Fight against Genocide was established by Law Nº09/2007 of 16/02/2007, which stipulates that the commission is a National, independent and permanent institution. It has a legal status and Administrative and financial autonomy. The Commission shall particularly collaborate with the Ministry having the memory in its attribution.

2. MISSION

To prevent and fight against Genocide, its ideology and overcoming its consequences.

The National Commission for the Fight against Genocide has three organs:

A Commissioners’ Council

The Commissioners’ Council is the supreme organ in the Commission’s management. It is comprised of seven (7) members including the Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson characterized by technical know how, wisdom and integrity, who enable the Commission to achieve its mission; who are appointed by a Presidential Order upon approval by the Senate. 

The Commissioners’ Council shall have the following responsibilities:

1° to make a follow up on the implementation of the National Policy in relation to genocide memory;

2° to monitor the management of the Commission;

3° to approve the Commission’s annual planning and plan of action;

4° to approve the Commission’s draft annual budget;

5° to examine and approve the Commission’s annual activity report;

6° to approve the Commission’s donations, grants and bequest;

7° to approve the Commission’s draft internal rules and regulations;

8° to follow up and monitor the management of the Commission’s property; 

MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONER'S COUNCIL

 An Executive Secretariat

It comprises of six units as follows:

1.Office of the Executive Secretary

2.Research and Documentation Center on Genocide

3.Memory and Prevention of Genocide

4.Genocide Survivors Advocacy Unit

5.Planning and Monitoring

6.Finance and Administration 

The Commission's Executive Secretariat is headed by an Executive Secretary. The Executive Secretary is appointed by a Prime Minister’s Order. 

The Executive Secretary has the following responsibilities:

1° to implement the decisions taken by the Commissioners’ Council;

2° to ensure the daily running of the Commission and to coordinate all its activities; 3° to prepare and submit to the Commissioners’ Council the draft annual budget for the commission; 

4° to prepare and submit to the Commissioners’ Council the Commission’s planning and plan of action;

5° to prepare and submit to the Commissioners’ Council the Commission’s draft internal rules and regulations;

6° to prepare and submit to the Commissioners’ Council the Commission’s annual financial report;

7° to prepare and monitor the staff training plan and evaluation;

8° to coordinate all research programs conducted by the Commission;

9° to collaborate with other relevant public institutions with regard to fund mobilization and development of good relations with the commission;

10°to perform any other duty as may be required by the Commissioners’ Council. 

An advisory Council

The Advisory Council is a national organ entrusted with advising on the guidelines of the Commission.

It comprises of the following members:

1. The President of the Republic;

2.The President of the Senate;

3.The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies;

4.The Prime Minister;

5.The Chairperson of the Supreme Court;

6.The Government Members;

7.The Members of Parliament;

8.The Ombudsman and his or her Deputies;

9.The Judges of the Supreme Court;

10.The Prosecutor General of the Republic;

11.The Deputy Prosecutor General of the Republic;

12.The Auditor General of the Military Court;

13.The Deputy Auditor General of the Military Court;

14.The Prosecutors with national competence;

15.The Army Chief of General Staff, Army Chief of Staff and Air force Chief of Staff;

16.The Commissioner General of the National Police and his or her Deputies ;

17.The Commissioner General of Prisons and his or her Deputies;

18.The Head of National Security Service;

19.The Chancellor of National Medals;

20.The Provincial Governors and the Kigali City Mayor;

21.The District Mayors;

22.The Commissioners of the National Commission for the fight against genocide;

23.Five (5) Members chosen from NGOs entrusted with fighting genocide and its ideology in their mandate;

24. Five (5) Members representing genocide survivor’s associations;

25.The Commissioners of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission;

26.The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for the fight against genocide;

27.The Commissioners of the National Human Rights Commission;

28.The Executive Secretary of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission;

29.The Executive Secretary of Community Service as an alternative penalty to imprisonment;

30.The Executive Secretary of the Service of Gacaca Courts;

31.The Rectors of public and private Universities and Higher Institutions;

32.The National coordinator of the National Women’s Council;

33.The National Coordinator of the Rwanda National Youth Council;

34.The Representatives of political parties legally operating in the Country;

35.The Representatives of religious denominations legally operating in the Country;

36.Any other person who may be invited by the President of the Republic to attend the meeting.

The Advisory Council meeting convenes once in every two years (though may be convened at any other time if it is necessary) convened and chaired by the President of the Republic or his/her delegate.