About 400 lawyers from the East African Community have arrived in Rwanda for the 14th Annual General Assembly and Conference. The conference organized by the East Africa Law Society (EALS), will be opened by President Paul Kagame.
It will also bring together barristers from West and Southern African as well as European countries.
Addressing a press conference Thursday evening ahead of the meeting, the President of the EALS, Dr. Allan Shonubi, said that for the conference to be held in Rwanda for the first times, sends a strong signal of the country’s commitment to steer regional integration to the next level.
“The conference presents us with a chance to showcase Rwanda. Many people from the region have never been to Rwanda. Much as it is very near, they don’t know the opportunities that exist in this country,” he said.
“Rwanda is one of the few EAC countries which has been spot-on, it has been the first in allowing cross-border trade and there are little restrictions on other lawyers practicing in Rwanda, it will be good for all these lawyers to see the opportunities available in this country,” Shonubi who hails from Uganda said.
The conference’s theme is “Advancing the Status of East Africa : Business, Integration and International Justice”.
The meeting takes place hot on the heels of the EAC Summit that saw the signing of the Protocol of the Common Market last week in Arusha.
There shall be a special session on the Role of Bar Associations in the Common Market to be addressed by Amason Jeffa Kingi, Kenya’s Minister for EAC, Monique Mukaruliza, Minister for EAC from Rwanda and Hon Mathias Chikawe, Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs of the United Republic of Tanzania.
Other topics of discussions include : Promoting International and transitional Justice, Doing Business in East Africa and the Development of Legal Aid in East Africa : A comparative analysis of the Partner States.
It is also anticipated that the legal fraternity will discuss at length International Justice, human rights and conflict resolution, dedicating an entire afternoon session to discuss the matter.
In addition, there shall be another session on the balance between individual liberties and maintenance of peace and security.
Source African Press Agency
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