Country Demographics:

• Population:  8.2 million
• Religions:  Roman Catholic 49.6%, Protestant 43.9%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim 4.6%, None 1.7%, Indigenous beliefs 0.1%
• Income Per Capita:  $241.84 year/ $0.67 day
• Government Type:  Republic; presidential multiparty system
  Chief of State:  President Paul KAGAME (since April 2000)
  Head of Government: Prime Minister Bernard MAKUZA (since March 2000)

Legal Profession:

• Estimated number of lawyers in Rwanda is 2,500
• Estimated number of believers involved in the legal profession is 300
• The name of the local Christian group is Rwanda Christian Lawyers Fellowship  (RCLF), headed by Mr. Jean Musafiri.  The group was organized in 2003 and has grown to a network of six Christian lawyers. 

Major Activities of Christian Lawyers:

RCLF’s lawyers are involved in the following activities:

• “Gacaca Jurisdiction” (a traditional court overseeing cases regarding genocide or crimes against humanity)
• Participating in child abuse cases (particularly orphans)
• Debating issues pertaining to the new Rwandan constitution
• Organizing national conferences on the protection of children’s rights, and unity and reconciliation
• Holding annual meetings
• Organizing prayer meetings
• Circulating a weekly prayer calendar

Convocation Goals:

• The Global Convocation organized by Advocates International will facilitate an exchange of testimonies and provide a sense of unity within the international Christian lawyers’ network.  Furthermore, the Convocation will provide the Rwandan delegates with conflict resolution and peace building training.

Prayer Items:

• God’s mercy in providing sustainable peace in the country (Burundi, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo)
• Security in the Great Lakes region in general
• That the Lord will steer the hearts of Christian lawyers towards commitment and attendance at RCLF meetings
• Help for the survivors of genocide who are suffering in poverty and disease (HIV/AIDS)

Contact Information:

• Jean Musafiri musafiri_buhiga@wvi.org

ªRwanda In Actionª

As part of an effort to improve the reconciliation among Rwandese, the Rwandan Christian Lawyers Fellowship is working closely with the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission.  They train communities, church leaders and local authorities on the eradication of genocide ideology and about the divisions within Rwandan society which lead to strife.  There are not currently any studies on peace and reconciliation in Rwandan public education curricula.  RCLF lawyers hope and pray such studies will have been incorporated into education programs by 2006.