Rwanda - Universal Periodic Review

UPR 37, January 25, 2021
Recommendations by Canada

Overview

Rwanda has made strong socio-economic gains in a post-Genocide context, notably in terms of life expectancy, maternal and child mortality, access to affordable healthcare, and education. Rwanda continues to advance gender equality, and in 2020 was ranked one of the top four countries in the world for women’s political empowerment, with a high representation (over 50 percent) of female parliamentarians and ministers. Rwanda has also implemented mechanisms to prevent and eliminate gender-based violence.

While Rwanda has taken positive steps, important human rights challenges remain. According to Freedom House, rights to freedom of expression (including for the press), association, and peaceful assembly are limited as individuals, the media, political opposition members, and civil society organizations may be subject to criminal charges, intimidation, or harassment.

Furthermore, human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, have documented cases of arbitrary arrests and detention, deaths in custody, as well as cases of probable enforced disappearance. Finally, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, have expressed deep concern with allegations of the detention, beatings and ill-treatment of street children in transit centres.

Canada’s Intervention

Thank you, Mr. President.

Canada commends Rwanda for the progress it has made in advancing gender equality.  

Canada recommends that Rwanda:

1. Take the necessary institutional measures to ensure that street children in transit centres do not become subject to arbitrary detention or ill-treatment.
2. Ensure that the Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture is able to complete a country visit in the near future.
3. Amend Article 2(19) of the Media Law to broaden the definition of journalist to include citizen journalist, freelance journalist and blogger in compliance with international standards on freedom of expression.
4. Review the registration requirements for local and international NGOs with a view to better facilitating and simplifying the process.

As recommended during Rwanda’s last UPR, Canada urges Rwanda to conduct prompt, thorough, and independent investigations into all alleged cases of enforced disappearances.