Rwanda Nears Full Compliance on Human Rights Commitments

The announcement came at a two-day meeting in Kigali presenting the country’s report on compliance with United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) recommendations. Government officials and civil society representatives attended.

Rwanda joined the UN’s Universal Periodic Review process in 2011 and has submitted three reports. In the last review in 2020, the country fulfilled 95% of its accepted recommendations.

Justice Minister Emmanuel Ugirashebuja said the government made significant strides in education, healthcare, disability support, elderly welfare, and civil society regulation.

“Many of our goals have been achieved,” Ugirashebuja said. “We have expanded schools, supported people with disabilities, increased pensions for the elderly, and enacted a law ensuring civil society organizations benefit the public.”

The minister added that the report will be finalized and submitted to the UN on Jan. 21, 2026, after incorporating feedback from the meeting.

Rwanda committed to implementing 160 of 260 recommendations received in 2021. Achievements included improved public services, freedom of expression, and other rights-related initiatives across multiple government sectors.

Kananga Andrews, Executive Director of the Legal Aid Forum, praised the high compliance but noted the need to reduce prison overcrowding and speed up trials involving children.

Michael Ngabirano, Senior Advisor at the UN Human Rights Office in Rwanda, highlighted Rwanda’s progress but urged more civic freedom in political expression and a review of some provisions in the new civil society law.