UNILAK triumphs again in national moot court competition on international humanitarian law

By The Inspirer.

The University of Lay Adventists of Kigali (UNILAK) has once again claimed victory in the prestigious Moot Court Competition on International Humanitarian Law (IHL), organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

This year’s competition, held for the eighth time, brought together top law students from universities across Rwanda, including the University of Rwanda (UR), University of Kigali, Independent University of Kigali (ULK), UNILAK, and INES-Ruhengeri.

The competition simulates a courtroom trial where students tackle a fictional legal case. This year’s case, focused on International Humanitarian Law and Refugee Protection, required participants to role-play as prosecutors and defense lawyers, arguing their positions before a panel of judges composed of legal professionals from Rwanda’s justice system.

UNILAK was awarded the top prize for its outstanding defense arguments, while ULK took second place for their prosecution. After thorough deliberation, the judging panel declared UNILAK the overall winner, awarding the university the competition’s trophy, while ULK was acknowledged as the runner-up.

Participating students emphasized how valuable the experience was for building their legal knowledge and courtroom skills. “We learned a lot about how to prosecute or defend cases, and had the chance to work with experienced legal experts who helped us sharpen our skills,” said Shema Aime, a law student from UNILAK.

Jean Damascene Ndabirora Kalinda, a legal officer from UNHCR, highlighted the competition’s importance in equipping Rwandan law students with practical knowledge of international law. “The goal is to give students the opportunity to apply the knowledge they acquire in class to real-world situations, fostering deeper understanding,” he said.

The judging panel urged participants to continue refining their legal expertise, emphasizing that competitions like these are essential in preparing them for future roles as judges and prosecutors. Supreme Court Judge Isabelle Kalihangabo, representing the President of the Supreme Court, praised the students for their efforts, remarking that the competition was a significant step in their legal careers.

The winning team from UNILAK will represent Rwanda in the continental Moot Court competition, set to take place in Nairobi in November 2024, where they will compete against law students from across Africa for the international trophy.

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