Dr Jean de Dieu Zikamabahari, a Rwandan Nationality, a lawyer by education and profession, holds a Doctor of Laws from North-West University, a Master of Laws from the University of Cape Town and a Bachelor of Laws from the National University of Rwanda (currently University of Rwanda). He has also attended various professional trainings in areas law such as International Forum on Complementary Pathways for Admission of Refugees to Third Countries, among others. With more than fifteen (15) years of legal professional experience, Dr Zikamabahari has taught in various Universities and higher learning institutions, such as the UoK, ULK, UNILAK and ILPD, just to mention a few. His areas of teaching, research and consultancy are, inter alia, international Refugee Law; International human rights law and constitutionalism, international humanitarian law; self- determination and human rights, etc. He intensely also published many articles in the area of human rights and refugee law.

Dr Zikamabahari served in various managerial positions in charge of legal framework operational strategies. After LLB graduation, he served as a Judge in Primary Court from 2007-2009 with responsibilities to preside over Court Proceedings, Interpretation of the law, Assessment of the evidence presented to curt, attending of hearings and trials and redaction judgements. He currently served as head of department and Dean of the School of law at the University of Kigali. He is also serving as a coordinator of Refugee Clinic and legal Advisor of the University of Kigali; he further heading Advisory Department at the Fix Lex Law Chambers. Have proven experience in handling various legal matters arising from various area of law as legal expert in international human rights and Refugee Law. He worked with Legal Aid Form and ILPD as a regular Consultant in human rights and promotion and protection of Refugees. Additionally, Dr Jean de Dieu does consultancies in various legal domain, including refugee law as lead consultant and team leader of the project with Legal aid forum, Institute of Legal Practice and Development, Prison Fellowship, etc.

In addition to being a dean of the School of Law, Dr Zikamabahari is a member of the Rwanda Bar Association and a Consultant.

As Advocate, Counsel Dr Zikamabahari Jean de Dieu performs the following activities:

• Handle claims and disputes of clients, mostly refugees;
• Provide legal advice for asylum seekers and refugees;
• Review and analyse various documents of asylum seekers
• Develop and maintain a system for keeping records of decisions made and actions taken;
• Provides support to knowledge building and knowledge sharing, focusing on achievement of the following results:
• Support the organization of training for Fix Lex Law Chamber personnel on legal-related topics.
• Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice;
• Advise in the interpretation and application of Refugee law;
• Provide legal analysis of key issues as requested by asylum seekers and refugees;

As a consultant, Dr Zikamabahari Jean de Dieu performs the above-mentioned activities

As a Legal Clinic coordinator, he coordinates research, prepares, and coordinates trainings for pro bono legal services.

Dr Zikamabahari is an active trainer of Legal Aid Forum, and regularly offers trainings to lawyers, paralegals and mediators (abunzi) on mediation process as a mechanism for resolving conflicts.