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Rwanda Civil

Intermediate Court

BIRASA N’UNDI

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01

Holding and result

The court held that neither the biological mother's recovery nor the child's wish to return to her are grounds for revoking the adoptive parent status under Article 308 of Law No. 32/2016. The law provides specific, limited grounds for such revocation, which were not met in this case. Therefore, the appeal lacked merit.

Court disposition

appeal dismissed

Orders

  • The appeal is dismissed as lacking merit.
  • The previous judgments (RC 00534/2018/TB/NYGE and RC0161/09/TB/NYGE) remain in force.
  • Birasa Patrick and Nkaka Michelle are to bear court costs of 20,000 RWF.

02

Material facts

Parties

Birasa Patrick

Appellant Counsel: Me Kayiranga Cyrille

Nkaka Michelle

Appellant Counsel: Me Kayiranga Cyrille

Birasa Umutoni Aimée

Child

Nyirabakungu Polisi

Biological Mother

Amounts and remedies

  • Court Costs: RWF 20,000

03

Procedural history

  1. Posture

    Civil Appeal / Judgment on Appeal

04

Questions and positions

Legal issues

Whether the decision granting adoptive parent status to Birasa Patrick and Nkaka Michelle over Birasa Umutoni Aimée should be revoked due to changed circumstances (biological mother's recovery and child's wish)

Party arguments

Applicant
Applicants argued that the original reason for adoption (biological mother's illness) no longer exists as she has recovered and both the mother and child wish to reunite, thus the adoptive status should be revoked.
Respondent
Respondent argued that the law only allows revocation of adoptive status for specific reasons outlined in Article 308 of Law No. 32/2016, and mere wishes of the biological mother or child do not suffice if the legal requirements are not met.

05

Court’s reasoning

  1. 01

    Article 308, Law No. 32/2016 of 28/08/2016 governing persons and family

    Revocation of adoptive parent status is only permitted for reasons expressly provided by law, such as coercion, trafficking, or actions contrary to the child's best interests.

  2. 02

    Article 288, Law No. 32/2016 of 28/08/2016 governing persons and family

    Simple adoption does not sever the child's original family ties; the child retains links with the biological family even after adoption.

06

Ratio, limits and disposition

Ratio decidendi

The court held that neither the biological mother's recovery nor the child's wish to return to her are grounds for revoking the adoptive parent status under Article 308 of Law No. 32/2016. The law provides specific, limited grounds for such revocation, which were not met in this case. Therefore, the appeal lacked merit.

Obiter and limits

  • The child's wish to live with the biological mother does not automatically terminate the adoptive relationship under simple adoption, as the child retains ties with both families.

Court disposition

appeal dismissed

  • The appeal is dismissed as lacking merit.
  • The previous judgments (RC 00534/2018/TB/NYGE and RC0161/09/TB/NYGE) remain in force.
  • Birasa Patrick and Nkaka Michelle are to bear court costs of 20,000 RWF.

Source and reliance status

Intermediate Court · 26 September 2019

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Judgment text

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Source document

Intermediate Court

Civil· 26 September 2019

RCA 00004/2019/TGI/NYGE

BIRASA N’UNDI

- Source: Amategeko - Section: Decisions (Judgements) - Date: 2019-09-26 - Case/document no.: RCA 00004/2019/TGI/NYGE - Collection: Intermediate Court

Text

Page 1

BIRASA N’UNDI [Rwanda URUKIKO RWISUMBUYE RWA NYARUGENGE – RCA 00004/2019/TGI/NYGE (NYIRANSABIMANA, P.J.,) 26 Nzeri 2019] Amategeko agenga abantu – Kubera umubyeyi umwana utabyaye ku buryo bworoheje – Kubera umubyeyi umwana utabyaye bivanwaho kubera impamvu gusa zishingiye ku itegeko, kongera kubana n’ababyeyi be b’ukuri, ntibyambura uburenganzira bw’umwana bwo gukomeza kuba umwana w’ababyeyi bamugize umwana bataramubyaye. Incamake y’ikibazo: Birasa na Nkaka basabye Urukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyarugenge kuvanaho icyemezo cyo kubera umubyeyi umwana batabyaye witwa Birasa Umutoni Aimée kubera ko nyina wamubyaye Nyirabakungu yabasabye gusubirana umwana we kuko impamvu z’uburwayi zari zaratumye amutanga ngo bamubere ababyeyi zari zishingiye ku burwayi kandi zavuyeho, ko ndetse n’umwana ashaka gusubirana na nyina wamubyaye; bityo na bo nta shema bagifite yo gukomeza kumubera umubyeyi. Urwo rukiko rwaciye urubanza, rwemeza ko icyemezo cyemeza ko abarega babera umubyeyi Birasa Umutoni Aimée bataramubyaye kigumaho. Birasa na Nkaka ntibishimiye icyemezo cyafashwe, bajurira mu Urukiko Rwisumbuye rwa Nyarugenge bavuga ko umucamanza yirengagije nkana ko impamvu yari yaratumye babera umubyeyi Umutoni ari uburwayi bukomeye nyina yari afite bwari bwaratumye atagishobora kurera uwo mwana, iyo mpamvu ikaba itakiriho kuko yakize, ndetse ubu akaba yifuza gusubirana umwana we, n’umwana kandi akaba

yifuza kubana na nyina wamubyaye, bagasanga nta shema bagifite yo gukomeza kumubera umubyeyi. Incamake y’icyemezo: Kubera umubyeyi umwana utabyaye bivanwaho gusa ku mpamvu ziteganywa n’ingingo ya 308 y’Itegeko Nº 32/2016 ryo ku wa 28/08/2016 rigenga abantu n’umuryango. Kuba umwana yakwifuza kongera kubana n’ababyeyi bamubyaye, cyangwa ababyeyi bakifuza kongera kurera umwana wabo ntibifatwa nk’aho ababyeyi bamugize umwana batacyujuje ibisabwa kugitra ngo bagire umwana uwo batabyaye kuko iyo bikozwe ku buryo bworoheje n’ubundi isano muzi ry’umwana n’umuryango we rikomeza. Ubujurire nta shingiro bufite. Amategeko yashingiweho: Itegeko Nº 32/2016 ryo ku wa 28/08/2016 rigenga abantu n’umuryango, ingingo ya 288, n’iya 308. Nta manza zifashishijwe. Nta nyandiko z’abahanga zakoreshejwe:

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Urubanza I. IMITERERE Y’URUBANZA [1] Uru rubanza rwatangiriye mu rukiko rw’ibanze rwa Nyarugenge, Birasa Patrick na Nkaka Michelle basaba urukiko kuvanaho icyemezo cyo kubera umwana batabyaye witwa Birasa Umutoni Aimée ku mpamvu z’uko umubyeyi w’uwo mwana ari we Nyirabakungu Polisi, yandikiye Bwana Birasa Patrick na Madamu we Nkaka Michelle abasaba ko yasubirana umwana we kuko impamvu zari zaratumye amutanga ngo bamubere ababyeyi nk’umwana batabyaye, zitakiriho. Ikindi kandi na Birasa Umutoni Aimée akaba ashaka gusubirana na nyina wamubyaye. Bityo na bo bakaba batacyumva baberewe no gukomeza kumubera umubyeyi bataramubyaye. [2] Urukiko rw’ibanze rwa Nyarugenge rwaciye urubanza rwemeza ko ikirego nta shingiro gifite, icyemezo cyafashwe mu rubanza RC 0161/09/TB/NYGE rwaciwe kuwa 30/04/2009 n’urukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyarugenge, cyemeza ko abarega babera umubyeyi wa Birasa Umutoni Aimée bataramubyaye kitavanyweho. [3] Me Birasa Patrick na Nkaka Michelle ntibishimiye icyemezo cyafashwe, bajurira bavuga ko umucamanza yirengagije nkana ibimenyetso hamwe n’imiburanire byagaragajwe na Birasa Patrick n’umugore we Nkaka Michelle. II. ISESENGURA RY’IBIBAZO BIGIZE URUBANZA Ku bijyanye no kumenya niba ibisabwa na Birasa Patrick na Nkaka Michelle byo gukurirwaho icyemezo cyo kubera ababayeyi uwitwa Birasa Umutoni Aimée bataramubyaye babihabwa. [4] Me Kayiranga Cyrille uburanira Birasa Patrick

na Nkaka Michelle, avuga ko icyatumye bajurira ari uko umucamanza wo ku rwego rw’ibanze yasobanuriwe bihagije impamvu ishingiye ku itegeko yatumye Birasa Patrick na Madamu Nkaka Michelle basaba ko icyemezo cyo kubera ababyeyi umwana batabyaye witwa Birasa Umutoni Aimée cyavanwaho, cyane cyane aho yagaragaje ko kubera ababyeyi umwana batabyaye byatewe n’uburwayi bukomeye bwari bufitwe na nyina w’umwana (mère biologique) ariko aho amariye kwivuza agakira, ari gusaba gusubirana umwana we Birasa Umutoni Aimée, ndetse n’umwana ubwe akaba yarandikiye aba babyeyi bari baramugize umwana wabo bataramubyaye, abasaba ko yasubira kwa nyina umubyara, kubera ko impamvu bari baramugize umwana wabo abona zitakiriho. [5] Me Kayiranga Cyrille uburanira Birasa Patrick na Nkaka Michelle akomeza avuga ko bamubereye umubyeyi biciye muri « adoption » kubera ko nyina atari agishoboye kumurera no kumukorera ibisabwa byose bikwiriye umwana ugomba kurerwa, kubera uburwayi bukomeye yari afite nk’uko nawe abyivugira mu ibaruwa yandikiye Birasa Patrick na Madamu Nkaka Michel. Ibi bikaba bigaragara mu gika cya 4 cya matolewa y’urubanza rwajuririwe. « …bityo rero kuba nyina avuga ko ashaka gusubirana umwana we bitaba impamvu yatuma icyo cyemezo kivanwaho kuko uwo mwana atari intizanyo mu muryango wa Bwana Birasa Patrick na Madamu Nkaka Michel ». Ko icyo Birasa Patrick na Madamu Nkaka Michelle bagaragaza kandi

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bashingiraho giteganyijwe kandi kivugwa mu ngingo ya 308, agace ka 20 y’itegeko n◦ 32/2016 ryo kuwa 28/08/2016 rigenga abantu n’umuryango, ari uko nabo badatewe ishema no gukomeza kubera ababyeyi umwana batabyaye ariwe Birasa Umutoni Aimée kubera ko nawe ubwe atagishaka kubana nabo ashaka kubana na nyina umubyara, ibi rero bikanyuranya n’ibyo Umucamanza yavuze mu gika cya 5 in fine […], « keretse uwo mwana agaragaje ko gukomeza kugirwa umwana n’uwo muryango byaba bibangamiye uburenganzira bwe», kandi ibi ubwabyo umwana yarabigaragaje mu ibaruwa yandikiye abari baramugize umwana batabyaye aribo Birasa Patrick na Madamu Nkaka Michelle, abasaba ko ashaka nta kabuza kujya kubana na nyina Nyirabakungu Polisi. Ko nyuma y’uko nyina w’umwana agaragaje byeruye ko ashaka umwana we, ndetse n’umwana akabishimangira abyandikiye abari baramugize umwana batabyaye, basanga umucamanza yarirengagije nkana ibyo yashyikirijwe nk’ibimenyetso bigizwe n’amabaruwa; iya Nyirabakungu Polisi, nyina w’umwana ndetse n’iya Birasa Umutoni Aimée; umwana wa Nyirabakungu Polisi. Uko urukiko rubibona [6] Birasa Patrick na Nkaka Michelle, babereye Birasa Umutoni Aimée ababyeyi bataramubyaye, bajurira bavuga ko bari baramugize umwana batabye kubera ko nyina yari afite uburwayi bukomeye, atagishoboye kumurera no kumukorera ibisabwa byose bikwiriye umwana ugomba kurerwa. Ariko ko aho akiriye yabandikiye asaba

gusubirana umwana we Birasa Umutoni Aimée, ndetse n’umwana ubwe yandikiye aba babyeyi bari baramugize nk’umwana wabo bataramubyaye, abamenyesha ko yasubira kwa nyina umubyara, kubera ko impamvu bari baramugize umwana wabo abona zitakiriho. Bakavuga ko kubera izo nyandiko z’umwana na nyina na bo batacyujuje ibisabwa, nta shema bagifite yo kubera ababyeyi b’umwana batabyaye uvuga ko ashaka kubana na nyina. [7] Urukiko rurasanga nk’uko byagaragajwe n’urukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyarugenge, ingingo ya 308 y’Itegeko nº 32/2016 ryo ku wa 28/08/2016 rigenga abantu n’umuryango iteganya igihe kubera umubyeyi umwana utaramubyaye bivanwaho, ikavuga ko:” Kubera umubyeyi umwana utabyaye bivanwaho kubera impamvu zikurikira:1° iyo hari ibimenyetso bikomeye bigaragaza ko uko kwemera kumubera umubyeyi kwabayeho habaye cyangwa hagamijwe kumutwara ku gahato, kumugira umugore cyangwa umugabo, kumucuruza cyangwa kumugira umucakara; 2° mu gihe bigaragaye ko kumubera umubyeyi byakozwe mu buryo bunyuranyije n’inyungu z’umwana cyangwa uwari warabaye umubyeyi w’umwana atabyaye atacyujuje ibisabwa kugira ngo agire umwana uwo atabyaye; 3° haseguriwe ibivugwa mu ngingo ya 267 y’iri tegeko, iyo isano y’umwana na nyina cyangwa se bamubyaye yagaragaye n'iyo urubanza rwemeza ukubera umubyeyi umwana utabyaye rwabaye ndakuka. [8] Urukiko rugasanga abarega bavuga ko bashingira ku gace ka 20 k’iyi ngingo

isobanuwe haruguru, ariko bikagaragara ko ari bo, ari na Nyirabakungu Polisi nyina w’umwana, ndetse n’umwana ubwe, bemeranwa ko bamugize umwana bataramubyaye ku nyungu z’umwana, kuvuga ko batacyujuje ibisabwa bitewe n’uko bitakibatera ishema kumubera umubyeyi mu gihe ashaka kubana na nyina nta shingiro byahabwa mu gihe na none ingingo ya 288 y’itegeko rimaze kuvugwa iteganya ko:” kubera umubyeyi umwana utabyaye ku buryo bworoheje ari uburyo bwo kubera umubyeyi umwana utabyaye ariko isano muzi hamwe n’umuryango we

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w’ibanze igakomeza”. Ari na bwo buryo Birasa na madame we Nkaka bari batwaye Birasa Umutoni Aimée, kuko batamutwaye kubera ko ababyeyi be batazwi, kandi atari n’imfumbyi cyangwa se ngo abe nta n’abavandimwe yari afite, ndetse atanarerwaga na leta. Bivuze rero ku mu gihe cyose Birasa Umutoni Aimée atigeze atakaza isano muzi hamwe n’umuryango we w’ibanze, nta n’icyanamubuza gushaka kubana na nyina kandi agakomeza kuba umwana wa Birasa Patrick na Nkaka Michelle bataramubyaye. [9] Urukiko rurasanga kuba Birasa Umutoni Aimée ashaka kujya kubana na nyina, atari byo bigomba gutuma icyemezo cyo kubera ababyeyi umwana bataramubyaye cyahawe Birasa Patrick na Nkaka Michelle, bakagihabwa ku bushake bwabo ari bo bakisabiye kivanwaho; mu gihe biri mu burenganzira bwa Birasa Umutoni Aimée. Bityo rero nta gikwiye guhinduka ku rubanza RC 00534/2018/TB/NYGE rwaciwe kuwa 31/10/2018 n’urukiko rw’ibanze rwa Nyarugenge. III. Icyemezo cy’urukiko [10] Rwemeye kwakira ikirego cy’ubujurire cyatanzwe na Birasa Patrick na Nkaka Michel kuko cyaje mu buryo n’inzira bikurikije amategeko, ariko rugisuzumye rusanga nta shingiro gifite. [11] Rwemeje ko nta gihindutse ku rubanza RC 00534/2018/TB/NYGE rwaciwe kuwa 31/10/2018 n’urukiko rw’ibanze rwa Nyarugenge rujuririrwa; icyemezo cyafashwe mu rubanza RC0161/09/TB/NYGE kuwa 30/04/2009 n’urukiko rw’Ibanze rwa Nyarugenge, cyemeza inyandiko yahawe Birasa Patrick na Nkaka Michel n’umwanditsi w’irangamimerere wa Nyarugenge yo kubera umubyeyi umwana Birasa Umutoni Aimée bataramubyaye kigumanye agaciro kacyo. [12] Rutegetse ko amafaranga 20.000 Birasa Patrick na Nkaka Michel batanze barega, ahwana n’amagarama y’urubanza.

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Authorities

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Law No. 32/2016 of 28/08/2016 governing persons and family, Article 288

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Law No. 32/2016 of 28/08/2016 governing persons and family, Article 308

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