Rwanda has been selected to host the Secretariat for the Group of UN Member States, UN entities, International Non-governmental Organizations and other friends of Corrections involved in international peacekeeping and peacebuilding.
Rwanda’s Selection was made during the Fourth Annual International Corrections Conference held in Berlin.
The Correctional Services in Rwanda will be at the forefront in implementation of the Secretariat objectives.
The Secretariat will prepare and chair the Group’s annual meetings, act as the focal point for all communications with the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO) and other United Nations entities.
It will execute its functions in close collaboration with the UN Criminal Law and Judicial Advisory Services (CLJAS), and participate in all Expert Level Forum meetings.
In her acceptance speech on behalf of government of Rwanda, ambassador Christine Nkulikiyinka noted that following the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi and the rapid achievements in institution-building, including in the correctional services;
“Rwanda is more than ever committed to share its success story with countries emerging from conflict, including in the area of security, Justice and corrections services”.
The United Nations hailed Rwanda for the great strides and rapid achievements in institution-building that has led to active contribution of troop, police and corrections personnel to UN-led international peacekeeping operations.
The hand-over and take-over ceremony between the out-going host – Sweden and the in-coming host – Rwanda, was witnessed by Dmitry Titov, Assistant Secretary General for the Rule of Law and Security Institutions (OROLSI), Deputy Commissioner General Mary Gahonzire, Rwanda Correctional Services.
Also present were Ina Lepel, Deputy Director General for Global Affairs, Germany Foreign Office, Thomas Dittman, the Director General, Federal Germany Ministry of Justice and representatives of UN Member States as well as other International Organizations.
At the Conference, Deputy Commissioner General Gahonzire, shared the Rwanda’s best practices in “Gender and Gender balance” including the role of Rwanda female Corrections Officers in peacekeeping Operations and achievements of Rwanda Corrections Services.
Rwanda delegation also comprised Assistant Commissioner of Police Jimmy Hodari, the Police Attaché at the Rwanda Permanent Mission who also doubles as the Liaison for Corrections affairs at the United Nations in New York.
The Secretariat is hosted on a rotational basis and at the end of its two years’ tenure of office Rwanda will host the International Corrections Conference.
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