Respect for reasonable time limits in rwandan criminal procedure law: Analysis of compliance with legal deadlines in Rwanda under national law and international commitments

The uncertainty of the criminal decision must not be prolonged unnecessarily, especially as a criminal charge has many consequences for the reputation and honor of the defendant, but it also has consequences for the family, social and economic life of the victim. The right to reasonable time is based on a trilogical rationale, i.e. safeguarding the rights of the accused, who should not remain for too long under the shadow of a charge without a decision on its merits; protecting the victim, who has the right to a decision within a reasonable time on the fate of his tormentor and on the damages arising from the crime suffered; and ensuring the effectiveness of justice, since slow justice is tantamount to a denial of justice. This study examines the extent to which the principle of reasonable time is respected by Rwanda's criminal justice institutions, and suggests legal and institutional solutions to the frequent violations of this principle.