Rwanda on Monday underwent a review of its human rights record by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Rwanda’s performance in implementing human rights principles over the past five years was reviewed. The review was conducted using technology in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which is currently sweeping the world.
Rwanda’s report was presented by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Johnston Busingye. It outlined how the recommendations made by UN member states in February 2015 have been implemented, with the aim of protecting human rights and the well-being of the population.
Various countries commended Rwanda’s continued performance in respecting human rights principles, although they noted that there is still room for improvement.
Among the 50 recommendations that Rwanda has received and is committed to implementing, Minister Busingye indicated that in the past 5 years, these provisions have been properly implemented.
These are key provisions related to freedom of the press and expression, independence of the judiciary, economy, health and social welfare of the population.
Minister Busingye indicated that Rwanda has implemented the advice given by the United Nations, starting with the establishment of an independent Rwanda Human Rights Commission and its chairmen who are appointed in accordance with the law.
He said: ”These commissioners are fully independent; the members of the commission are approved by the entire Council of Ministers and are appointed by presidential decree. Rwanda has received recommendations on freedom of expression, freedom of the press, freedom of association and joining other peace-oriented organizations. We would like to inform our partners that these principles are deeply embedded in the 2003 Rwandan Constitution, which was amended in 2015, and are being implemented in accordance with the law.”
Minister Busingye also emphasized that no actions are taken against individuals because they are politicians, journalists or human rights activists; rather, each person is prosecuted by the judiciary based on a specific crime for which they are prosecuted and this is done in an independent manner.
Minister Busingye emphasized that those who say that Rwanda has unknown places where people are detained, such as military camps and other places, are unfounded, and that all detention places are not provided for by law.
He said, “The Government of Rwanda wishes to emphasize that Rwanda has different prisons, civilian and military. All of them operate openly and in a manner that respects the law, so that anyone can access them, and at least comply with international standards for people whose rights are violated. There are no such illegal prisons in Rwanda and I confirm that the Government of Rwanda condemns these baseless allegations accompanied by political motives of those who support them.”
Among other things, the Minister of Justice indicated based on the advice received from the report is that Rwanda is going to continue to expand its work aimed at promoting human rights principles where justice institutions continue to serve the population, with a focus on increasing media freedom, fighting human trafficking, enacting laws that punish and prevent the ideology of Genocide, caring for vulnerable populations such as people with disabilities, and children, among others aimed at promoting the rights of every citizen.
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