Louis GITINYWA AKOHOUENDO
Kigali
Summary
Experienced international lawyer and former prosecutor with over 15 years of expertise in investigating and prosecuting war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Skilled in evidence collection, analysis, and documentation of human rights violations, as well as providing valuable assistance to international investigations. Proficient in transitional justice and highly knowledgeable in conducting investigations related to large-scale human rights violations in armed conflict contexts. Recognized as a reliable collaborator and sought-after trainer for various international projects.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Partner Advocate
Kigali Attorneys & Partners
01.2020 - Current
- Specialized in Human and constitutional rights, Tech law (I am practising lawyer specialised on Media law and Digital rights issues with a special interest for freedom of expression online, Data Privacy, and Internet regulation)
- Working on the Different projects related to Digital Rights and Freedom of expression in Rwanda, Internet Freedom, Data privacy and State Cybersurveillance
- Giving legal advice and defending Journalists, Bloggers and Activists accused of defamation and others related charges for criticising public policies or state high ranking personalities
- Working also as Rwanda legal researcher and Policy analyst on the intersection of East African ICT, Media Law, Human Rights and IP rights for Paradigm Initiative
- I am also an affiliate to MLDI East Africa freedom of expression and digital rights lawyers network
- Member of the Rwanda Bar Association and the East African Law society
Assistant Prosecutor
Rwanda National Prosecutor Authority
05.2009 - 07.2013
- Offering my expertise in issues related to Human Rights Law and Transitional Justice, providing legal and policy advice to different stakeholders about setting up adequate national mechanism of the protection of Human Rights, Reporting and providing feedbacks on the UPR and to the special procedures of the UN human Rights Council,
- Handling of criminal case files
- Hearings of witnesses and suspects
- Investigations
- Liaison between the judicial police and the prosecution office in coordinating judicial investigations
- Assistant and interpreter for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) rogatory commissions
- Assistant during the interrogation of witnesses and suspects for investigations into violations and crimes committed during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, under the Belgian Federal Prosecutor's Office
- Translation of extradition rogatory commissions
Public Prosecutor
Rwanda National Public Prosecution Authority
01.2014 - 04.2018
- To coordinate pending Economic criminal investigations within the prosecutor’s general office
- To conduct criminal investigations of pending genocide fugitives case under Chief Prosecutor’s supervision
- Safekeeping and archiving of settled criminal cases
- Prosecute and litigating criminal cases before courts of Law
- Protected victims'' rights by advocating for appropriate sentencing recommendations based on the gravity of offenses committed.
- Secured high conviction rates through diligent preparation and presentation of well-structured arguments in court.
Education
Certificate - Transitional And Interdisciplinary Justice
Université Catholique De Louvin
Bruxelles - Belgium05-2023
Certificate of Participation - The Universal Periodic And UN Human Rights System
Université De Genève
Geneva Switzerland 11-2021
Certificate - The Human Rights Council, International
Geneva For Human Right
Switzerland - Geneva03-2021
Certificate - Human Rights And Climate Change
Université De Genève
Geneva - Switzerland 11-2020
Master Is Law - Law And Business Administration
University of Dar Es Salaam, School of Law
Dar Es Salaam Tanzania01.2018
Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice - Legal Practice
Institute of Legal Practice And Development
Nyanza, Southern Province12.2013
Bachelor Degree in Law -
Kigali Independent University
Kigali - Rwanda11.2010
Skills
- Expertise in international criminal law and humanitarian law
- Strong legal research and case-building abilities
- Experienced in training and capacity building for legal professionals
- Proficient in handling sensitive evidence and ensuring confidentiality
- Strong analytical skills
- Legal drafting
References
Laura, Schwartz-Henderson, Research Project manager, laurash3nd@gmail.com, +215-898-9727, Internet Policy Observatory, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania
Training
- From July2015- August2015: Legal Research Seminar on online Hate speech in Rwanda organized by Aegis U.K. in Kigali, Rwanda
- August2016: East Africa Legal Surgery training in Kampala, (Uganda) on strategic litigation and Public interest litigation in Media law, Digital Rights and freedom of expression online before Regional courts like the African court on Human and People’s Rights, Ecowas Court of Justice, East African Court of Justice or the African Human Rights commission Training organized and funded by Media Legal defence Initiative UK.
- February2018-March3: I attended Internet Policy in Africa in Kampala, Uganda, workshop organized by CIPESA in Collaboration with Penn University Annenberg’School for communication on Research methods for digital rights advocacy and policymaking.
- From11 june2019 to14 june2019: I attended a panel on Privacy and Digital surveillance in East Africa at RightsCon2019 hold in Tunis which is the world forum of activists and Cso working on the domain of Human Rights, Internet governance and digital rights.
- May22th- July19 th2018: I worked as legal Consultant for Rudi International drafting Universal Periodic Review recommendations for the UNHCHR Session in Geneva, especially on Issues related to Freedom of Expression and Internet shutdowns in DR Congo
- From October21 to November10th: I attended and presented a research paper on Freedom of expression online and digital rights situation in Rwanda at the65th session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in Banjul, The Gambia
- I am also writing several articles for different blogs on issues related to digital rights, Internet Freedom and Privacy and state digital surveillance in Rwanda, for more details https://paradigmhq.org/digital-surveillance-should-rwandans-be-worried/
ANNEXES
GITINYWA AKOHOUENDO Louis
Publications and Conferences
I did attend on many conferences axed on Human rights and digital rights, such as Freedom of Internet in Africa ( FiFA) hosted by CIPESA, 2019-2024,
Attending Paradigm Initiative flaship conference Digital rights and Internet forum.
Languages
Kinyarwanda
Native language
English
Proficient
C2
French
Proficient
C2
Swahili
Proficient
C2
Lingala
Proficient
C2
Timeline
Senior Partner Advocate
Kigali Attorneys & Partners
01.2020 - Current
Public Prosecutor
Rwanda National Public Prosecution Authority
01.2014 - 04.2018
Assistant Prosecutor
Rwanda National Prosecutor Authority
05.2009 - 07.2013
Certificate - Transitional And Interdisciplinary Justice
Université Catholique De Louvin
Certificate of Participation - The Universal Periodic And UN Human Rights System
Université De Genève
Certificate - The Human Rights Council, International
Geneva For Human Right
Certificate - Human Rights And Climate Change
Université De Genève
Master Is Law - Law And Business Administration
University of Dar Es Salaam, School of Law
Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice - Legal Practice
Institute of Legal Practice And Development
Bachelor Degree in Law -
Kigali Independent University
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