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Rwanda Petition Seeking to Declare a Law Unconstitutional

Supreme Court

Re BYANSI SAMUEL BAKER 1

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Professional case brief

Research organized from the available case record

Source document

01

Holding and result

The Supreme Court held that Byansi Samuel Baker had sufficient interest to bring the constitutional challenge, as the impugned provision directly affected his rights as a journalist and the outcome would have a direct impact on his legal position. The Court interpreted standing in constitutional matters broadly, especially where fundamental rights are at stake, and found that the temporary lapse in his press credentials did not negate his interest, given the administrative context and subsequent renewal.

Court disposition

Applicant has standing; proceedings to continue on merits.

Orders

  • The Court declares that Byansi Samuel Baker has sufficient interest to pursue the constitutional petition.
  • The substantive hearing of the petition will proceed on a date to be notified by the Court Registry.

02

Material facts

Parties

Byansi Samuel Baker

Applicant Counsel: Me Ruramira Bizimana Zébédée, Me Musore Gakunzi Valéry

Republic of Rwanda

Respondent Counsel: Me Habumuremyi Prosper

03

Procedural history

  1. Posture

    Constitutional Petition / Preliminary Ruling on Locus Standi (interest to Sue)

04

Questions and positions

Legal issues

Whether Byansi Samuel Baker has sufficient interest (locus standi) to challenge the constitutionality of Article 71(5) of Law No. 22/2018 regarding media access to court proceedings.

Party arguments

Applicant
Byansi argued that Article 71(5) of Law No. 22/2018, which requires journalists to request permission 48 hours in advance to record court proceedings, infringes on media freedom and access to information as protected by Article 38 of the Constitution. He contended that requiring such permission and imposing time limits is an undue restriction, especially in the era of mobile journalism, and that journalists should be allowed to report upon presentation of their credentials. He further argued that his lapse in press credentials was due to COVID-19-related administrative delays and that he had since renewed his press card.
Respondent
The State, represented by Me Habumuremyi Prosper, argued that the Constitution does not guarantee unrestricted media access to information or court proceedings. The requirement to seek permission is lawful and does not violate the principle of public hearings. The State further argued that Byansi lacked standing at the time of filing the petition because his press card had expired, and thus he could not claim to be acting as a journalist.

05

Court’s reasoning

  1. 01

    Supreme Court decision in Re Mugisha Richard, RS/INCONST/SPEC 0002/2018/SC

    Interest to sue in constitutional matters must be interpreted broadly, especially where the impugned law allegedly infringes constitutional rights or prevents the realization of constitutional objectives.

  2. 02

    Areva NP Vs Eskom Holdings Soc Limited and Another [2016] ZACC 51 (South Africa Constitutional Court)

    A petitioner must demonstrate a personal or direct interest affected by the impugned law, distinguishing their situation from the general public.

  3. 03

    Article 72 of Law No. 30/2018 on the jurisdiction of courts

    A person, institution, or legal entity may petition the Supreme Court to declare a law unconstitutional if they have an interest in the matter.

06

Ratio, limits and disposition

Ratio decidendi

The Supreme Court held that Byansi Samuel Baker had sufficient interest to bring the constitutional challenge, as the impugned provision directly affected his rights as a journalist and the outcome would have a direct impact on his legal position. The Court interpreted standing in constitutional matters broadly, especially where fundamental rights are at stake, and found that the temporary lapse in his press credentials did not negate his interest, given the administrative context and subsequent renewal.

Obiter and limits

  • Standing in constitutional litigation should not be interpreted restrictively in developing countries where citizens may not be fully aware of their constitutional rights.
  • A requirement for a personal or direct interest prevents the courts from being overwhelmed by generalized public interest litigation.

Court disposition

Applicant has standing; proceedings to continue on merits.

  • The Court declares that Byansi Samuel Baker has sufficient interest to pursue the constitutional petition.
  • The substantive hearing of the petition will proceed on a date to be notified by the Court Registry.

Source and reliance status

Supreme Court · 10 December 2021

This page organises the available record for research. Confirm quotations, current status, and subsequent treatment against the official source before relying on the case.

Judgment reading view

Judgment text

The complete available source text.

Source document

Supreme Court

Petition Seeking to Declare a Law Unconstitutional· 10 December 2021

RLR V. 3-2022

Re BYANSI SAMUEL BAKER 1

- Source: Amategeko - Section: Decisions (Judgements) - Date: 2021-12-10 - Case/document no.: RS/INCONST/SPEC 00003/2021/SC - Collection: Supreme Court

Text

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Re BYANSI [Rwanda URUKIKO RW’IKIRENGA – RS/INCONST/SPEC 00003/2021/SC– (Ntezilyayo, P.J., Nyirinkwaya, Cyanzayire, Hitiyaremye na Karimunda, J.) 10 Ukuboza 2021] Itegeko Nshinga – Ikirego gisaba kwemeza ko ingingo y’Itegeko inyuranye n’Itegeko Nshinga – Inyungu zo gutanga ikirego – Inyungu igomba kumvikana ku buryo bwagutse, igashingira ku kwemeza ko itegeko rinyuranyije n’Itegeko Nshinga kuko ribangamiye uburenganzira bw’abasaba ko rivaho, cyangwa se rituma icyari kigamijwe n’Itegeko Nshinga kitagerwaho kandi kigomba kurengerwa. Itegeko Nshinga – Ikirego gisaba kwemeza ko ingingo y’Itegeko inyuranye n’Itegeko Nshinga – Inyungu y’uwatanze ikirego – Uwatanze ikirego agomba kwerekana inyungu bwite afite cyangwa yavutswa mu buryo butaziguye n’itegeko asaba ko ryakurwaho. Incamake y’ikibazo: Byansi yatanze ikirego mu Rukiko rw’Ikirenga asaba kwemeza ko ingingo ya 71, mu gika cyayo cya 5 y’ Itegeko N˚ 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirizey’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi inyuranyije n’ingingo ya 38 y’Itegeko Nshinga rya Repubulika y'u Rwanda ryo mu 2003 ryavuguruwe mu 2015. Asobanura ko iyi ngingo ibangamiye abanyamakuru kubera ko kubashyiriraho igihe bagomba kubahiriza mu gusaba kwemererwa gufata amajwi n’amashusho mu cyumba cy’iburanisha, ari uburyo bwo kubuza itangazamakuru kubona amakuru no kubangamira ubwisanzure

bwaryo. Akomeza avuga ko bidakwiye ko basabwa uruhushya rwo gutara amakuru mu nkiko, igihe berekana icyangombwa kibaranga. Asoza avuga kandi ko gushyirirwaho igihe cyo gusaba gufata amajwi n’amashusho mu cyumba cy’iburanisha, haba hirengagijwe ko igihe tugezemo hari itangazamakuru rikorwa mu buryo bwa mobile journalism. Uhagarariye Leta muri uru rubanza avuga ko Itegeko Nshinga ntaho riteganya ko itangazamakuru rigomba kubona amakuru mu buryo ubwo aribwo bwose akaba ariyo mpamvu iyo ngingo Urega agaragaza ntaho inyuranyije na ryo. Avuga kandi ko kuba itegeko riteganya ko itangazamakuru risaba uruhushya rwo gufata amajwi n’amashusho mu cyumba cy’iburanisha bidakuraho ihame ry’uko iburanisha ribera mu ruhame nk’uko bigaragara mu ngingo ya 71 y’Itegeko Nº 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryavuzwe haruguru. Mbere y’iburanisha mu mizi, Uru Rukiko rwabanje gusuzuma niba Urega afite inyungu muri uru rubanza kubera ko yatanze ikirego nk’umunyamakuru ku wa 04/06/2021 kandi ikarita ye yari yararangiye ku wa 12/05/2021. Kuri iki kibazo Urega avuga ko atanga iki kirego ikarite ye y’akazi yari yararangiye, asaba yari yarasabye ko yongerwa mbere y’uko ita agaciro, biza gutinzwa n’uko serivisi nyinshi zagiye zihagarara kubera icyorezo cya COVID-19 ariko iyo karita ye yaje kongererwa igihe ku wa 20/09/2021 kizarangira ku wa 20/09/2022. Avuga ko ikirego cye cyakagombye kwakirwa nubwo yagitanze mu gihe ategerejemo ko ikarita ye yongererwa igihe, dore ko n’igihe cy’iburanisha kigeze yarahawe indi karita bityo, ibyo bikaba bitafatwa nk’aho nta nyungu yari afite yo kurega.

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Uhagarariye Leta avuga ko kuba Urega yaratanze ikirego mu gihe ikarita ye y’akazi k’Ubunyamakuru yararangiye nta nyungu yari afite yo kurega nk’umunyamakuru, ahubwo icyo gihe yari gutanga ikirego nk’umuntu ku giti cye. Incamake y’icyemezo: 1. Inyungu yo gutanga ikirego igomba kumvikana ku buryo bwagutse, igashingira ku kwemeza ko itegeko rinyuranyije n’Itegeko Nshinga kuko ribangamiye uburenganzira bw’abasaba ko rivaho cyangwa se rituma icyari kigamijwe n’Itegeko Nshinga kitagerwaho kandi kigomba kurengerwa.

2. Uwatanze ikirego agomba kwerekana inyungu bwite afite cyangwa yavutswa mu buryo butaziguye n’itegeko asaba ko ryakurwaho. Urega afite inyungu yo kuregera ko itegeko rinyuranyije n’Itegeko Nshinga. Iburanisha ry’urubanza rizakomeza. Amategeko yashingiweho: Itegeko Nshinga rya Repubulika y’u Rwanda ryo mu 2003 ryavuguruwe mu 2015, ingingo ya 38. Itegeko N° 68/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange. Itegeko N° 30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018 rigena ububasha bw’inkiko, ingingo ya 72. Itegeko Nº22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi, ingingo ya 70 n’iya 71. Itegeko N° 02/2013 ryo ku wa 08/02/2013 rigenga itangazamakuru, ingingo ya 3, 4 n’iya 5. Imanza zifashishijwe: Re Mugisha Richard, RS/INCONST/SPEC 0002/2018/SC rwaciwe n’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ku wa 18/01/2019. Areva NP Vs Eskom Holdings Soc Limited and Another [2016] Zacc 51 rwaciwe n’ Urukiko rushinzwe kurinda iremezo ry’Itegeko Nshinga rwa Afurika y’Epfo. Urubanza I. IMITERERE Y’URUBANZA [1] Ku italiki ya 04/06/2021, Byansi Samuel Baker yatanze ikirego mu Rukiko rw’Ikirenga arusaba kwemeza ko ingingo ya 71, mu gika cyayo cya 5 y’ Itegeko N˚ 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi, giteganya ko uburenganzira bwo gufata amajwi n’amashusho mu cyumba cy’iburanisha busabwa mu nyandiko nibura mu masaha mirongo ine n’umunani (48) mbere y’uko iburanisha ritangira, inyuranyije n’ingingo ya 38 y’Itegeko Nshinga rya Repubulika y'u Rwanda ryo

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mu 2003 ryavuguruwe mu 2015 mu gace kayo kavuga ko ubwisanzure bw’itangazamakuru, ubwo kugaragaza ibitekerezo n’ubwo guhabwa amakuru bwemewe kandi bwubahirizwa na Leta. [2] Asobanura ko nk’umunyamakuru ufite ikarita y’akazi nimero 17/726-11 wibanda cyane mu gukora inkuru zicukumbuye (Investigative journalist) mu Rwanda ndetse no hanze yarwo, asanga ingingo ya 71 igika cya 5 ibangamira abanyamakuru kubera ko kubashyiriraho igihe bagomba kubahiriza mu gusaba kwemererwa gufata amajwi n’amashusho mu cyumba cy’iburanisha, ari uburyo bwo kubuza itangazamakuru kubona amakuru no kubangamira ubwisanzure bwaryo, mu gihe ingingo ya 70 y’Itegeko N˚ 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi iteganya ko iburanisha ribera mu ruhame. Agaragaza ko kumenyesha abaturage ibibera mu nkiko biri mu murongo w’uburenganzira burebana n’ubwisanzure bw’itangazamakuru no guhabwa amakuru, bugomba kubahirizwa n’inkiko nk’Urwego rw’Ubuyobozi. [3] Yavuze ko bidakwiye ko abanyamakuru basabwa uruhushya rwo gutara amakuru mu nkiko, igihe berekana icyangombwa kibaranga nk’abanyamakuru. Asoza avuga kandi ko gushyirirwaho igihe cyo gusaba gufata amajwi n’amashusho mu cyumba cy’iburanisha, haba hirengagijwe ko igihe tugezemo hari itangazamakuru rikorwa mu buryo bwa mobile journalism. [4] Me Habamuremyi Prosper uhagarariye Leta y’u

Rwanda mu rubanza avuga ko ingingo ya 71 igika cya 5 y’Itegeko Nº 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi itanyuranyije n’ingingo ya 38 y’Itegeko Nshinga rya Repubulika y’u Rwanda. [5] Asobanura ko ntaho Itegeko Nshinga riteganya ko itangazamakuru rigomba kubona amakuru mu buryo ubwo aribwo bwose. Akaba ariyo mpamvu ryateganyije ubwo buryo mu ngingo ya 71, igika cya 5 y’Itegeko ryavuzwe haruguru, ahasobanurwa ko bisabirwa uburenganzira byibura mu masaha 48 mbere y’uko iburanisha ritangira. Asobanura nanone ko kuba itegeko riteganya ko itangazamakuru risaba uruhushya rwo gufata amajwi n’amashusho mu cyumba cy’iburanisha bidakuraho ihame ry’uko iburanisha ribera mu ruhame nk’uko bigaragara mu ngingo ya 71 y’Itegeko Nº 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi, ibyo bikaba bigaragarira mu gika cya 6 cy’iyo ngingo.2 Urubanza rwaburanishijwe mu ruhame ku wa 15/11/2021, Byansi Samuel Baker yunganiwe na Me Ruramira Bizimana Zébédée na Me Musore Gakunzi Valéry naho Leta y’u Rwanda ihagarariwe na Me Habumuremyi Prosper. Mbere yo kuburanisha urubanza mu mizi, Urukiko rwabanje gusuzuma niba uwareze ariwe Byansi Samuel Baker, afite inyungu muri uru rubanza nk’uko biteganyijwe n’ingingo ya 72, igika cya mbere y’Itegeko Nº

30/2018 rigena ububasha bw’inkiko ryavuzwe haruguru, iki akaba ari nacyo kibazo cyabanje gusuzumwa muri uru rubanza. 1 Iyi karita yatanzwe na Rwanda Media Commission ku wa 12/05/2020 igomba kurangira ku wa 12/05/2021, iza kongererwa igihe ku wa 20/09/2021, kizarangira ku wa 20/09/22. 2 Ingingo ya 71 igika cya 6 y’Itegeko Nº22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi iteganya ko Perezida w’urukiko afata icyemezo mu nyandiko cyemera cyangwa cyimana uburenganzira bwo gufata amajwi n’amashusho amaze gusuzuma ko nta ngaruka byagira ku nyungu z’ubutabera, umutekano w’Igihugu n’uw’ababuranyi n’umuco mbonezabupfura.

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II. IKIBAZO KIGIZE URUBANZA N’ISESENGURWA RYACYO 1. Kumenya niba Byansi Samuel Baker afite inyungu muri uru rubanza [6] Urukiko rwabajije Byansi Samuel Baker niba yaratanze ikirego nk’umunyamakuru ku wa 04/06/2021 kandi ikarita ye yari yararangiye ku wa 12/05/2021, asubiza ko, nubwo ikarita y’ubunyamakuru yashingiyeho atanga ikirego ku wa 04/06/2021 yari yararangiye ku wa 12/05/2021, yari yarasabye ko yongererwa igihe mbere y’uko agaciro kayo karangira, ko kuba baratinze kumusubiza kugeza ubwo ikarita ye irangirije igihe byaba byaratewe n’uko serivisi nyinshi zagiye zihagarara kubera icyorezo cya COVID-19. Avuga ko iyo karita ye yaje kongererwa igihe ku wa 20/09/2021 kizarangira ku wa 20/09/2022. Bityo akaba asanga kuba yaratanze ikirego cye ikarita ye yararangiye ariko ategereje kubona indi kandi ubu akaba yarayibonye bitaba impamvu yo kutakira ikirego cye kuko akora umurimo w’ubunyamakuru kuva 2017, aho yakoreye ibinyamakuru bitandukanye birimo na Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) na TV 10. [7] Mu kumwunganira, Me Musore Gakunzi Valéry yashingiye ku ngingo ya 3 y’Itegeko N° 22/2018 ryo ku wa 29/04/2018 ryerekeye imiburanishirize y’imanza z’imbonezamubano, iz’ubucuruzi, iz’umurimo n’iz’ubutegetsi3 no ku ngingo ya 72 igika cya 1 y’Itegeko N° 30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018 rigena ububasha bw’inkiko,4 avuga ko umuntu ku giti cye ashobora kuregera Urukiko rw’Ikirenga, kandi ko n’ubwo

Byansi Samuel Baker yatanze ikirego ikarita imuranga nk’umunyamakuru yararangiye, ariko asanzwe amuzi nk’umuntu ukora umurimo w’ubunyamakuru, ikindi akaba ari uko igihe cy’iburanisha kigeze yarahawe indi karita. Akaba asanga ibyo bitafatwa nk’aho nta nyungu yari afite yo kurega, ngo bitume ikirego cye kitakirwa. [8] Me Ruramira Bizimana Zébédée nawe wunganira Byansi Samuel Baker, ashingiye ku ngingo ya 5 y’Itegeko N° 02/2013 ryo ku wa 08/02/2013 rigenga itangazamakuru, avuga ko mu gihe Urukiko rwasuzuma rugasanga Byansi Samuel Baker yari umunyamakuru n’ubwo yatanze ikirego ikarita ye yararangiye rwakwemeza ko yari afite inyungu zo kurega maze rukakira ikirego cye. [9] Me Habumuremyi Prosper uhagarariye Intumwa Nkuru ya Leta yasobanuye ko bigaragara ko Byansi Samuel Baker yahawe ikarita y’ubunyamakuru ku wa 12/05/2020 ikarangira ku wa 12/05/2021, arangije atanga ikirego nk’umunyamakuru ku wa 04/06/2021 ikarita ye yararangiye; asobanura ko atubahirije ibiteganywa n’itegeko kuko mu gihe nta karita imuranga nk’umunyamakuru yari afite, nta nyungu yari afite yo kurega nk’umunyamakuru, ahubwo icyo gihe yari gutanga ikirego nk’umuntu ku giti cye.

UKO URUKIKO RUBIBONA [10] Ingingo ya 72, igika cya mbere y’Itegeko N° 30/2018 ryo ku wa 02/06/2018 rigena ububasha bw’Inkiko iteganya ko umuntu ku giti cye, ikigo cyangwa umuryango ufite ubuzimagatozi 3 Ikirego cyakirwa mu rukiko iyo urega afite ububasha, inyungu n’ubushobozi byo kurega, keretse igihe itegeko ribiteganya ukundi. 4 Umuntu ku giti cye, ikigo cyangwa umuryango ufite ubuzimagatozi bashobora kuregera Urukiko rw’Ikirenga basaba kwemeza ko itegeko rinyuranyije n’Itegeko Nshinga iyo babifitemo inyungu.

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bashobora kuregera Urukiko rw’Ikirenga basaba kwemeza ko itegeko rinyuranyije n’Itegeko Nshinga iyo babifitemo inyungu …. [11] Ingingo ya 3 y’Itegeko N° 02/2013 ryo ku wa 08/02/2013 rigenga itangazamakuru ivuga ko umunyamakuru w’umunyarwanda, yaba ukora mu kigo cy’itangazamakuru cyemewe cyangwa uwigenga cyangwa uhagarariye igitangazamakuru cy’amahanga mu Rwanda, ahabwa uburenganzira n’Urwego rw’Abanyamakuru Bigenzura. Naho ingingo ya 4 igika cyayo cya 1 y’iryo Tegeko igateganya ko imikorere y’itangazamakuru n’imyitwarire y’abanyamakuru umunsi ku wundi bigenzurwa n’Urwego rw’Abanyamakuru Bigenzura (…). [12] Ibirebana n’inyungu zo gutanga ikirego gisaba gukuraho ingingo y’Itegeko kuko inyuranye n’Itegeko Nshinga, uru Rukiko rwabisuzumye mu rubanza5 rwaburanishijwemo ikirego Me Mugisha Richard yari yatanze asaba ko ingingo zimwe z’Itegeko N° 68/2018 ryo ku wa 30/08/2018 riteganya ibyaha n’ibihano muri rusange zivaho kuko zinyuranyije n’Itegeko Nshinga. Mu gusobanura icyemezo cyarwo, Urukiko rwasesenguye amategeko asanzwe akurikizwa mu Rwanda arebana n’iki kibazo, runifashisha imanza zaciwe mu bindi bihugu aho ibirego nk’ibi bimaze igihe bitangwa. [13] Muri urwo rubanza, Urukiko rwasobanuye ibyerekeye inyungu muri rusange n’impamvu ari ngombwa kuzigaragaza kugirango ikirego cyakirwe,6 ruvuga ariko ko ku birego bijyanye n’Itegeko Nshinga, inyungu igomba kumvikana ku buryo bwagutse,

cyane cyane mu Gihugu nk’u Rwanda kikiri mu nzira y’iterambere aho abaturage batarasobanukirwa uburenganzira bwabo bagenerwa n’Itegeko Nshinga, bakaba bakeneye gufashwa kubugeraho hifashishijwe inkiko. Urukiko rwasobanuye ko imiterere y’imanza zisaba kwemeza ko Itegeko rinyuranyije n’Itegeko Nshinga, igaragaza ko inyungu muri bene izo manza ishingiye ku kwemeza ko Itegeko rinyuranyije n’Itegeko Nshinga kuko ribangamiye uburenganzira bw’abasaba ko rivaho, cyangwa se rituma icyari kigamijwe n’Itegeko Nshinga kitagerwaho kandi kigomba kurengerwa.7 [14] Ibirebana no kuba uwatanze ikirego cyo kwemeza ko Itegeko rinyuranyije n’Itegeko Nshinga agomba kuba afite inyungu bwite, byanasuzumwe n’abahanga mu mategeko ndetse n’izindi nkiko. Nk’umuhanga Sylvie Schmitt avuga ko kugira ngo inyungu umuntu afite yo gutanga ikirego yemerwe, igomba kuba ifite ikintu cy’umwihariko gitandukanya nyirayo n’abandi, kiyigira iye bwite. Bitabaye ibyo, umuntu ubonetse wese ashobora kuregera Urukiko rushinzwe kurinda iremezo ry’Itegeko Nshinga kuko buri muturage cyangwa ikigo bashobora kwibwira ko bafite inyungu zo kurengera Itegeko Nshinga. Icyo gihe ikirego cyahinduka nk’ikirego cy’abaturage muri rusange, kandi ibyo bidakwiye. Iyo mikorere yatuma inkiko zuzuranamo ibirego, harimo n’ibirego bidakwiye.8 Muri uwo murongo, Urukiko rushinzwe kurinda iremezo ry’Itegeko Nshinga rwa 5 Reba urubanza

RS/INCONST/SPEC 0002/2018/SC rwaciwe ku wa 18/01/2019. 6 Reba igika cya 19 n’icya 20 cy’urubanza. 7 Reba igika cya 21 cy’urubanza. 8 Pour que l’intérêt à agir d’une personne soit reconnu, il doit inclure un élément propre qui distingue son titulaire du reste de la société, qui l’individualise. A défaut d’un tel élément, n’importe quelle personne aurait la possibilité de saisir le juge constitutionnel puisque tout citoyen et tout organisme peuvent prétendre avoir un intérêt à défendre la Constitution. Le recours se transformerait en une action populaire, ce qui n’est pas envisageable. L’action populaire provoquerait une surabondance des recours avec des risques de demandes abusives. Sylvie Schmitt, La nature objective

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Afurika y’Epfo, mu rubanza Areva NP Vs Eskom Holdings Soc Limited and Another [2016] ZACC 51 rwavuze ko iyo umuburanyi atanze ikirego wenyine mu nyungu ze bwite, ataba afite ububasha bwagutse bwo kuregera ibinyuranyije n’amategeko. Uwatanze ikirego agomba kwerekana inyungu bwite afite cyangwa yavutswa mu buryo butaziguye n’itegeko asaba ko ryakurwaho.9 [15] Ku birebana n’uru rubanza, Byansi Samuel Baker avuga ko kuba ingingo ya 72, igika cya mbere y’Itegeko N° 30/2018 ryavuzwe haruguru itegeka ushaka gufata amajwi n’amashusho mu cyumba cy’iburanisha kubibonera uruhushya rutanzwe na Perezida w’urukiko ashaka kujyamo mbere y’amasaha 48 bibangamiye uburenganzira ahabwa n’Itegeko Nshinga nk’umunyamakuru, bityo ko afite inyungu z’uko Urukiko rubisuzuma rukemeza ko icyo gika cy’iyo ngingo kivaho. [16] Urukiko rurasanga, hashingiwe ku biteganywa n’ingingo ya 3 y’Itegeko N° 02/2013 ryavuzwe haruguru, nta gushidikanya guhari ko mbere y’uko ikarita ye irangiza igihe ku wa 12/05/2021, Byansi Samuel Baker yari yemerewe gukora umurimo w’umunyamakuru kuko yari yujuje ibyangombwa bisabwa n’Urwego rw’Abanyamakuru Bigenzura. Nta gushidikanya kandi ko igihe cyo gutanga ikirego, ku wa 04/06/2021, atari yemerewe gukora umurimo w’umunyamakuru, ariko ko igihe cy’iburanisha, ku wa 15/11/2021, ubwo burenganzira yari abufite kuko ikarita ye y’ubunyamakuru yari yarongerewe igihe ku wa 20/09/2021,

kizarangira ku wa 20/09/2022. [17] Urukiko rusanga ingingo ya 71, igika 5 y’Itegeko N˚ 22/2018 ryavuzwe haruguru ireba uburenganzira bwo gufata amajwi n’amashusho mu iburanisha bureba n’abanyamakuru. Bikumvikanisha ko mu gihe Urukiko rwasanga koko iyo ngingo inyuranyije n’ingingo ya 38 y’Itegeko Nshinga nk’uko Byansi Samuel Baker abiburanisha, icyo cyemezo cyaba kimufitiye akamaro, bityo rukaba rusanga afite inyungu yo gutanga ikirego gisaba kuvanaho ingingo y’Itegeko avuga ko imwambura uburenganzira ahabwa n’Itegeko Nshinga. III. ICYEMEZO CY’URUKIKO [18] Rwemeje ko Byansi Samuel Baker afite inyungu yo kuregera kwemeza ko itegeko rinyuranyije n’Itegeko Nshinga muri uru rubanza. [19] Rwemeje ko iburanisha ry’uru rubanza rizakomeza ku itariki umuburanyi azamenyeshwa n’Ubwanditsi bw’Urukiko. du contentieux constitutionnel des normes. Les exemples francais et italien, “ Revue francaise de droit constitutionnel, 2007/4, n°72, https://www.cairn.info/revue-francaise-de-droit-constitutionnel-2007-4-page-719.htm 9 (…) where a litigant act solely in his or her own interest, there is no broad or unqualified capacity to litigate against illegalities. … The own interest litigant must therefore demonstrate that his or her interests or potential interests are directly affected by the unlawfulness sought to be impugned”. 9Areva NP Vs Eskom Holdings Soc Limited Limited and Another [2016] ZACC 51, at para 32, https://www.saflii.org/za/cases/ZACC/2016/51.pdf.

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Re Mugisha Richard, RS/INCONST/SPEC 0002/2018/SC (Supreme Court of Rwanda, 18/01/2019)

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Areva NP Vs Eskom Holdings Soc Limited and Another [2016] ZACC 51 (South Africa Constitutional Court)

Case cited

Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda (2003, revised 2015), Article 38

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Law No. 22/2018 of 29/04/2018 on civil, commercial, labor and administrative procedure, Articles 70, 71

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Law No. 30/2018 of 02/06/2018 on the jurisdiction of courts, Article 72

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Law No. 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 on offences and penalties

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Law No. 02/2013 of 08/02/2013 regulating the media, Articles 3, 4, 5

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