GE.20-14862(E)
Human Rights Council
Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review Thirty-seventh session
18–29 January 2021
National report submitted in accordance with paragraph 5 of the annex to Human Rights Council resolution 16/21
*Rwanda
* The present document has been reproduced as received. Its content does not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations.
General Assembly
Distr.: General 9 November 2020 Original: EnglishAcronyms
7YGP Seven Year Government Programme ADR Alternative Disputes Resolution
ANC Antenatal Care
CBHI Community-Based Health Insurance
CFSVA Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis CHUB Butare University Teaching Hospital
CHUK Kigali University Teaching Hospital CPI Corruption Perception Index
CRVS Civil Registration and Vital Statistics
DGIE Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration DPs Development Partners
ECE Early Childhood Education
EICV Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey
GBV Gender Based Violence
GBVIMS Gender Based Violence Management Information System GDP Gross Domestic Product
GMO Gender Monitoring Office
GoR Government of Rwanda
HRAP National Human Rights Action Plan HSSP Health Sector Strategic Plan
IECMS Integrated Electronic Case Management System IOM International Organization for Migration IOSC Isange One Stop Centres
JRLOS Justice, Reconciliation, Law and Order Sector LFS Labour Force Surveys
MAJ Maison d’Accès à la Justice
MIGEPROF Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion MINADEF Ministry of Defence
MINIJUST Ministry of Justice
NAR Never Again Rwanda
NCBT National Centre for Blood Transfusion NCHR National Commission for Human Rights NCPD National Council of Persons with Disabilities NECDP National Early Childhood Development Programme NEP National Employment Program
NER Net Enrolment Rate
NHRAP National Human Rights Action NHRIs National Human Rights Institutions
NPM National Preventive Mechanism NPPA National Public Prosecution Authority NRS National Rehabilitation Service NST1 National Strategy for Transformation
NURC National Unity and Reconciliation Commission
NWC National Women Council
RCS Rwanda Correctional Service
RDF Rwanda Defence Forces
RHA Rwanda Housing Authority RIB Rwanda Investigation Bureau
RISA Rwanda Information Society Authority RNP Rwanda National Police
TIP Trafficking in Persons
UN United Nations
UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UPR Universal Periodic Review
I Introduction
1. Rwanda welcomes the 3rd Universal Periodic Review (UPR) as part of the national commitment to protect human rights and account for universal human rights promotion in Rwanda.
2. Since the last review, the Government of Rwanda continues to drive efforts aiming at ensuring that every Rwandan enjoys the fundamental human rights secured by the Constitution and other national and applicable international human rights instruments.
Thus, Rwanda remains fully committed to the UPR process.
II. Methodology and consultation process
3. Rwanda’s third Universal Periodic Report is the result of wide consultation throughout the five years following the second review.
4. After the second review held on 4th November 2015, where Rwanda accepted to implement 50 recommendations, the Ministry of Justice through the cross-institutional task force1 developed a roadmap of implementation which was then shared with all responsible institutions for implementation.
5. The report drafting process was led by the Ministry of Justice (MINIJUST) through a cross-institutional national Treaty Body Reporting Task Force (TBRTF). Approximately sixty (60) stakeholders composed of Government’s Institutions, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Private Sector, Development Partners (DPs) and United Nations (UN) Agencies played a key role in the process from the implementation phase through the reporting phase.
Particularly, the Government of Rwanda (GoR) received financial support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which has been crucial in the organization of capacity building sessions on UPR and in convening stakeholders’ consultative meetings.
6. This report complements the periodic reports submitted by Rwanda since 2015 and focuses on the key developments since the second cycle in 2015.2
III. General framework for the protection and promotion of human rights
A. Acceptance of international human rights norms
7. Rwanda remains party to eight core United Nations (UN) human rights treaties and continues to fulfil its obligations under the conventions and optional protocols that it has ratified.
8. Since the last review, Rwanda submitted its national reports for the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, Convention on the Rights of the Child, International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention on the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. At the regional level, Rwanda submitted the report on the African Charter on Human, Peoples’ Rights, and its Optional Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa; the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance.
B. Legal framework for the protection and promotion of human rights
9. During the period under review, the People of Rwanda held a referendum and revised its Constitution. The revised constitution dedicates an entire chapter (Chapter IV) on human rights and freedoms. It further advanced the human rights agenda in Rwanda through, among others, the changes made on the use of official languages, hierarchy of
laws, terms or tenure for the President of the Republic, power on authentic interpretation of laws, and legislative powers of the Senate.
10. The revision of the Constitution also brought changes in the authority who has the mandate to authentically interpret the law. The current amendments give the mandate to the Supreme Court, whereas it was vested with the Parliament.
11. During the period under review, the GoR adopted many other laws relevant to the protection of human rights3.
C. Institutional framework
12. Concerning the institutional framework, the GoR continues to strengthen capacities of the existing institutions and create new ones where necessary.
13. The National Human Rights Commission remains one of the main actors in the promotion and protection of human rights. The law N° 61/2018 of 24/08/2018 modifying law Nº 19/2013 of 25/03/2013 determining missions, organisation and functioning of the National Commission for Human Rights extended the mandate of the Commission to double as the National Preventive Mechanism.
14. Other commissions, institutions and committees such as the National Child Development Agency, National Council for Persons with Disabilities, National Commission for the Fight against Genocide, Gender Monitoring Office, Rwanda Governance Board, the Committee on Unity, Human Rights and Fight against Genocide in the Chamber of Deputies, Committee on Social Affairs and Human Rights in the Senate, Office of the Ombudsman, National Youth Council and National Women Council continue to play key role in the promotion and protection of human rights in Rwanda. Specific roles of some of the institutions are considered further in the report.
15. With the 2018 law determining the jurisdiction of courts, the Government of Rwanda created a Court of Appeal. This will adjudicate on more of the cases that were previously adjudicated by the Supreme Court, leaving the latter with mainly constitutional cases.
16. Lastly, it is worth mentioning that the Supreme Court now has jurisdiction to hear cases of public interest brought by not only individuals but also legal personality.
D. Achievements, best practices and challenges
1. Freedom of opinion and expression; freedom of press; and freedom of association and peaceful assembly (Recommendations 133.1, 133.30, 133.32)
17. The four freedoms are enshrined in the Rwandan Constitution of 2003 as revised in 2015, articles 38, 39 and 40 respectively. The Constitution makes it clear that the right to freedom of association and the right to freedom of assembly do not require prior authorisation.
18. Since the first review, the GoR has initiated and implemented reforms, particularly aimed at expanding media freedoms, creating a citizen-centred media, boosting the media industry and investing and bringing in self-regulation.
19. The impact of these reforms has brought about growth in the media sector: number of radio stations increased from 23 in 2011 to 34 in 2019 while the number of television stations increased from 1 in 2011 to 12 in 2016 and 19 in 2019.4 Registered print and online media houses have been increased from 73 in 2016 to 161 in 2020.5
20. The satisfaction of citizens with access to information, as measured by the Rwanda Governance Board scorecard, has grown from 52% in 2012 to 94% in 2019.6
21. Regarding press offences, the new law determining offences and penalties in general was published and all press offences were decriminalised, including defamation.7
22. Since 2012, Rwanda Governance Board has introduced Rwanda Media Barometer (RMB). It was established with the central goal of setting up a comprehensive framework of media development to be used for regular monitoring and assessment of the state of the media in Rwanda.
23. The findings from the RMB indicate that overall level of media development witnessed an increase. The overall media development was at 60.3% in 2013, 69.6% in 2016 and 72.4% in 2018.
24. Further, the Rwanda Governance Board conducted an impact assessment8 of the media sector reforms in Rwanda, which was published in June 2019. Based on five indicators that were considered, the assessment revealed that media policy and the various laws have improved Rwanda media performance and impacted socio-economic development at 80.1%; access to information law has contributed to promotion of transparency and accountable governance at 77.2% while self-regulation has created accountability in the media sector at 78.2 %.9 Remaining on self-regulation, it is worth noting that media self-regulation has promoted media freedom and freedom of expression at 87.1% and it contributed to building trust between media practitioners and media consumers at 96.0%. However, citizens’ awareness about the presence and relevance of self-regulation is still low as it stands at 51.5%.10
2. National Human Rights Institutions (Recommendations 133.2, 133.3)
25. National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) play a vital role in promoting and monitoring effective implementation of international human rights standards at the national level. The law determining missions, organisation and functioning of the NCHR11 recognizes the independence of the NCHR. It gives the power to the Commission, among others, to receive, examine and investigate complaints relating to Human Rights violations;
to examine human rights violations in Rwanda committed by State organs, those who work in the public service abusing their powers, associations and individuals; and to receive and consider testimonies on Human Rights violations.12
26. The Commission has judicial police powers and hence can summon any person as it deems it necessary for investigations. Persons summoned by the Commission must appear, failure of which they shall be prosecuted in accordance with law. Further the Commission has the power to institute a lawsuit in courts of law. The Commission also has a complaints management system in place.
27. It is worthy to note that the NCHR was re-accredited with ‘A’ status in 2018.
28. With regard to the Office of the Ombudsman, the law allows the office of the Ombudsman to request the President of the Supreme Court the review of some judgments, on grounds of suspicion of injustice.13
29. Staff of the Office of the Ombudsman continued to receive trainings on a regular basis on how to investigate cases of injustice and human rights violations.
3. National Human Rights Action Plan (Recommendations 133.4, 133.5)
30. The GoR’s first ever National Human Rights Action Plan was adopted in February 2017 and approved by the Cabinet of Ministers. Upon approval, stakeholders developed its implementation roadmap which was subsequently widely disseminated for execution. Its implementation runs through December 2020. Assessment report on the implementation of the national human rights action plan is in the process and once finalized will inform phase two of the NHRAP.
4. Detention, torture, enforced disappearance, transit and rehabilitation centres (Recommendations 133.6, 133.17, 133.18, 133.26, 133.27)
National Preventive Mechanism
31. The 2018 law on the NCHR gives the NCHR the mandate of NPM. The law clearly spells out its mission in the protection against torture, and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. Article 6 bis was added to the 2013 law on NCHR and provides for special responsibilities of the Commission as regards to the prevention of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
32. Given the reforms needed to integrate the preventive approach into an existing structure, including reviewing NCHR’s organisational structure, internal rules and procedures as well as building the capacity of its staff; trainings and workshops have been conducted to this end.14 Specifically, the organizational structure of NPM was adopted and staff recruited, NPM operational plan for the year 2020/2021 is already in place, monitoring visits to places of detention 13 prisons and detention facilities), transit and psychiatric centres were conducted and a training of staff from RIB, RNP, RCS and other relevant institutions on in the justice sector was organized.
Enforced disappearance (Recommendations 133.17 and 133.18)
33. The right to due process of law is enshrined in the Constitution. Capacity building initiatives continue to be implemented to further strengthen capacities of key stakeholders including investigators, prosecutors, advocates, bailiffs and judges. The habeas corpus procedure is provided for under Rwandan procedural law and hence can be used by law practitioners whenever needed. Since 2016, the habeas corpus procedure has been invoked in 125 cases.15
34. With the creation of Rwanda Investigation Bureau, a desk within RIB to receive complaint or report of missing persons was established and people can report to RIB desk if they suspect that a person is missing. Between January 2019 and September 2020, 1,301 persons were reported missing. 1,124 were male while 177 were female. Out of the 1,301;
1,010 were successfully traced while 291 are not traced yet.
35. Regarding causes of disappearances, the main reasons identified include undocumented rural-urban migration; illegal crossing of borders to settle or spend long periods in neighbouring countries; eluding settlement of debts; marital conflicts, and in some cases joining rebel groups in neighbouring countries.
36. It’s worth mentioning that given the porous borders of Rwanda with neighbouring countries, armed conflicts in the regions linked to geopolitics in the great lakes regions, there are some people who have been declared by their families that they disappeared, and after a certain time, they were found in negative forces of Rwandans fighting in forests of a neighbouring country, at their return in Rwanda.
37. The GoR is conscious of the issue, continues to monitor the geopolitics of the region, and will continue to ensure that there is no one who is enforced to disappear.
Detention conditions, transit and rehabilitation centres
38. Currently Rwanda has 13 correctional facilities. Reducing the prison population and addressing overcrowding in detention facilities remains a priority of the country. In this regard, a new prison was built in Nyarugenge and all the existing prisons renovated and expanded.16 The number of police stations custody facilities continues to be increased while the standards of the existing ones are being improved. Between 2015 and 2019, 9 new detention police stations were built while 64 were renovated. The renovations focus on the size, lighting, aeration, water, sanitation and some other aspects necessary for the improvement of the detention facilities.
39. In addition to the above, the GoR has, through the Law Nº 68/2018 of 30/08/2018 determining offences and penalties in general, adopted the penalty of community service.
The application of the penalty awaits the adoption of an implementing order and once adopted those convicted of minor offences will serve their penalties out of prison.
40. Along the same lines, the GoR has recently introduced, through legislation, the use of electronic bracelet in monitoring suspects. This will be crucial in reducing suspects who are placed under pre-trial detention and at the same time expected to immensely contribute to the already existing GoR efforts to reduce prison overcrowding.
41. Further, legal measures have also been taken whereby prisoners who meet the necessary requirements are given probation. Since 2015 at least 9,442 inmates have been released on parole and 110 granted mercy.
42. Solitary confinement was removed from the 2018 law determining offences and penalties in general as a measure to improve the conditions of those in detention facilities.17 43. In addition, all detention facilities are regularly inspected by public institutions such as the National Public Prosecution Authority and independent institutions like the NCHR/NPM, and recommendations are made to relevant institutions to ensure the conditions are improved.
5. Recommendations 133.10, 133.11, 133.12, 133.13, 133.14, 133.19, 133.24, 133.25, 133.33, 133.38
Gender equality and women empowerment (Recommendations 133.10, 133.11, 133.12, 133.13, 133.14 and 133.38)
44. Rwanda maintains its two decades-long top priority of ensuring equality between men and women. The 2016 law governing persons and family gives both men and women equal responsibilities to lead the household. The husband is no longer considered the sole leader of the household. In 2016, Rwanda adopted a new law governing matrimonial regimes, donations and successions. The law guarantees equal treatment of children in succession.18
45. In terms of policy and programs, the National Gender Policy 2010 under review and its strategic plan (2018-2022) provide principal guidelines on which sectoral policies and programs should integrate gender issues in their respective political, social, cultural and economic planning and programming. Gender has been mainstreamed into all 16 NST1 sector strategic plans, while among them 11 sectors have gender sector mainstreaming strategies.
46. Through HeForShe outreach campaigns, today, Rwanda is ranked 2nd globally with over 206,623 signups19 for both men and women committed to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
47. Rwanda has adopted different mechanisms inspired by home grown solutions, like Umugoroba w’Ababyeyi (parent’s evening forum) which has been used as a platform for promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment initiatives. Advocacy and awareness raising dialogues and campaigns have been conducted on women’s rights and GBV prevention through governance and family welfare campaigns (e.g. gender accountability day). Furthermore, the introduction of a gender equality seal certification programme to enhance gender accountability in the private sector is another important initiative that was taken to promote gender equality and empowerment of women at work place.
48. Traditional patriarchal stereotypes and gender inequality continue being addressed through public education through regular Radio and TV talk shows on different subjects including but not limited to financing for gender equality and the role of Gender Responsive Budgeting program, human trafficking, teenage pregnancy and other Gender Based Violence issues in general.
49. According to the State of Gender Equality report produced by the Gender Monitoring Office (GMO), women lead in terms of land ownership. Land ownership stands at 24.63% among women compared to 14.27% among men. The big portion of land is owned by married couples (59.99%). Land ownership has been very instrumental in contributing to women's access to finance. It contributed to 38% of women’s access to credit.20
Increased women’s participation in decision-making (Recommendation 133.33)
50. The Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda as revised in 2015 maintains a minimum quota of 30% for women’s representation in all decision-making positions. The principle is also echoed in many other laws. Women’s representation at various levels and in different sectors has influenced the design and implementation of policies, laws, and programmes that are gender responsive.
51. Women’s empowerment and participation in decision making is mainly captured by the ratios of women in parliament, ministerial positions, and other positions in various structures of governance both in public, private, and civil society entities. Women’s representation in the cabinet has reached 52% in 2020 from 36.8% in 2014. In the on-going term of 2018–2023, women parliamentarians stand at 61.2% in the lower chamber and 38%
in the Senate. At decentralized levels, women’s share in the leadership has improved during 2016–2018 from 16.7% to 30 % as District Mayors and 45.2% in District Councils.
52. In the private sector, the progress of women’s representation is being observed and the current participation rate in the decision-making organs varies between 30% for presidential positions and 70% as second vice president in various chambers of the private sector federation at national level. At provincial level, women represent 20% as the first vice-president positions and 60% as the second vice-president positions in the executive committee members. Efforts will continue to be invested to close gender pay gap and increase women representation in managerial positions.
53. At decentralized level women are well represented as illustrated by the following figures for the key administrative structures: Governors and Mayor of the City of Kigali (40%), Bureau of Districts Councils and Bureau of City of Kigali (55.9%), Vice Mayors/Social Affairs (66.7%), and District Mayors (26.7%) in 2018.21
54. Furthermore, the participation rate of women in peacekeeping operations increased from 0.4 to 3% over the last 6 years.
Fighting against GBV (Recommendations 133.19, 133.24, 133.25)
55. Rwanda has put in place mechanisms for preventing and eliminating all forms of gender-based violence. These include:
• MAJ and Abunzi22: provide free access to legal aid with one in charge of GBV in every district.
• Isange One Stop Centres: provide holistic response to the victims of GBV that includes medical, psychosocial counselling, safe space/shelter and legal aid which are provided under one roof. To date there are 44 IOSC that have been established across all district hospitals.
• Specialised units on gender and GBV in NPPA, RNP, RIB, RDF, RCS: respond on a daily basis to GBV cases, with free hotline to facilitate quick reporting and rapid response.
• Community policing, anti-GBV and child Protection Committees at village level that provide opportunities for awareness raising, gathering information and coordination of anti-GBV services.
• A Gender Based Violence Management Information System (GBVIMS) is being developed where GBV data will be compiled and will inform future strategies.
56. The 2018 law on the Jurisdiction of court created at the intermediate court level, the special chamber for minors and family which has among others, the jurisdiction to hear cases of domestic violence.
57. Community based mechanisms: Umugoroba w’Ababyeyi (Evening Parents Forum);
Inshuti z’Umuryango (Friends of the Family) and anti GBV clubs contributed to the raise of awareness on the nature of GBV, its consequences and ways to eliminate or reduce it.
58. Lastly, Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) under its Division Office on GBV, continues efforts to provide communities with rapid, victim-focused and user-friendly services to respond to GBV, including through the presence of RIB officers in each District.
6. Right to education (Recommendations 133.36, 133.43, 133.44)
59. Rwanda considers education an important investment for the country’s growth and development. The Government continues to steadily increase the budget allocated to the education sector. Over the past six years, the budget allocated to pre-primary and primary education levels increased from 27.8% to 41.7%. It is also worth mentioning that the budget allocated for quality education development has increased from 15.8% to 22% for the same period. The budget was 216.9 billion, 220 billion and 241 billion in the year 2015/17, 2016/17 and 2017/18 respectively. In 2018/19, the sector received 278 billion RWF, an increase of 15.5% from the previous year. More than 60 per cent of the education budget is allocated to pre-primary, primary and secondary education combined. The Government of Rwanda maintains its commitment towards achieving free, universal and quality education.
60. With regard to inclusive education, the Ministry of Education published the Ministerial Order N° 007/2016 of 01/03/2016 determining modalities for special treatment of persons with disabilities in schools, whereby article 2 and 3 provides that children from the poorest families are facilitated to study for free of charge. In addition, all children are afforded free education until secondary school and at the same time children from the poorest families are supported with other costs such as uniforms to ensure their continued participation.
61. The National Competency Based Curriculum was revised and rolled out in 2016 for pre-primary, primary and secondary schools. It incorporated components of inclusive education, whereby all teachers should learn how to take care of learners with disabilities.
Standards have also been established, a teacher assessment guide is being developed, new textbooks have been finalized, and many teachers and head teachers have received trainings.
62. The inclusive and Special Needs Education Policy with its implementation plan was adopted by the Cabinet in January 2019. The policy provides the overarching framework for the development and delivery of education services to eradicate intrinsically and/or extrinsically motivated barriers met by learners with special educational needs in school.
63. Rwanda has achieved significant success in providing universal access to primary education, with a net enrolment rate (NER) of 95.80%.23 Nursery schools increased from 2,757 in 2016 to 3,401 in 2019. 185,666 students were enrolled in 2016 compared to 282,428 in 2019.24 In nursery schools pupils to teacher ratio was 31:1 in 2016 while it stood at 36:1 in 2019. In primary schools the ratio was 58:1 in 2016 and 57:1 in 2019. In secondary schools the ratio was 19:1 in 2016 while it stood at 24:1 in 2019.25
64. The proportion of primary schools that are connected to electricity both on-grid and off-grid has significantly increased from 52.4% in 2016 to 75% in 2019. Number of nursery schools with on grid electricity supply increased from 13.1% in 2016 to 40% in 2019. In primary schools it doubled, from 30.0% in 2016 to 60.8% in 2019. In secondary schools it increased from 46.1% to 76.6% for the same period. There has also been an increase with other sources such as solar power, generator supply and biogas systems.26
65. Regarding access to safe drinking water, it has improved from 19.2% in 2017 to 27.1% in 2019 in nursery schools. In primary schools it increased from 45.5% to 51.8% for the same period. While in secondary schools the access was at 58.5% and 72.3% in 2017 and 2019 respectively.27
66. Concerning internet connectivity, the statistics show that primary schools with internet connectivity were 9.8% and 34.8% in 2016 and 2019 respectively. In secondary schools the connectivity stood at 35.4% and 61.1% for the same period.28 Furthermore, the proportion of primary and secondary schools having an internet connection is 30 % and 52.9 % respectively.29
67. Efforts are being made to continue increasing the number of classrooms countrywide. Classrooms in nursery schools increased from 4,427 in 2016 to 5,879 in 2019.
In primary school the number of classrooms increased to 34,468 in 2019 from 31,437 in 2016. In secondary schools classrooms were 16,797 and 18,686 in 2016 and 2019 respectively.30
68. Eliminating gender disparities in education has been an important priority for the education sector in Rwanda. In 2018, gender parity had been stabilized, with girl’s enrolment at 49.7% and 53.2% in primary and secondary levels respectively, while that of tertiary education was estimated at 42.6%.
69. The GoR is committed to eliminate all types of perceived hidden educational costs in the school system to ensure unhindered and equal access to education for all children.
7. Justice (Recommendations 133.7, 133.8, 133.9, 133.12, 133.28, 133.29)
Prevention of genocide and promotion of unity and national reconciliation (Recommendation 133.7, 133.8)
70. The Government of Rwanda continues to implement its civic education program on genocide prevention. The National Commission for the Fight against Genocide organizes trainings, workshops and dialogues with a view to raising public awareness on the genocide prevention and combat its ideology.
71. Every year, Rwanda observes a week to commemorate the 1994 Rwandan genocide against Tutsi. Themes and other key messages for commemoration are chosen to strengthen the unity and reconciliation of Rwandans rather than dividing them.
72. A newly revised law (No 59/2018 of 22/08/2018) punishing genocide ideology and related crimes was enacted.
73. The reintegration and rehabilitation of former genocide convicts who completed their sentence remains one of the priority programs of the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC), since a successful social reintegration is key for sustainable peace. Particularly, for the period under review, in 2016 NURC conducted a study to assess the status of social reintegration of former genocide perpetrators, on how the society was prepared to receive them back in the community.
74. After findings of the assessment, a joint program which aims at preparing inmates that are about to complete their prison sentences has been designed. In this regard, since 2016, the NURC in partnership with RCS and non-state actors, have been implementing that joint pre-release program through this program, at least 6000 former genocide perpetrators have been assisted in social –therapy healing programs and helped to meet the victims to repent and reconcile. In the same vein, the communities were also prepared to receive the released genocide convicts, especially their family and victims.
75. The ‘Ndi Umunyarwanda Program’ continues to be implemented countrywide to emphasize unity of Rwandans. The program remains an important tool to create platforms for Rwandans from all walks of life to engage in dialogue with a view to building a national identity and to foster a Rwandan community that is based on trust and unity. It has proven its relevance in strengthening the solidarity of the Rwandan people, uphold their moral and spiritual values.
Access to justice (Recommendations 133.9, 133.12, 133.28, 133.29)
76. Since 2010, the GoR established the Justice, Reconciliation, Law and Order Sector which is a coordination structure enabling institutions in the Sector to work together effectively towards common objectives, without compromising their operational, legal or constitutional independence. One of its specific missions is to ensure universal access to quality justice.
77. Since December 2016, Rwanda introduced an Integrated Electronic Case Management System (IECMS), which has improved access to justice and service delivery by the justice sector.31 Currently, the system has more than 110,882 active users and connects 194 investigation stations/posts, 59 prosecutions offices, 63 Courts, 13 Prisons and bailiffs.
78. The GoR launched, in August 2020, an electronic system for execution of court orders and online auction. The electronic platform is expected to reduce the processes involved in the enforcement of orders and curtail malpractices occasioned by human interaction. Further, the platform will make it possible for potential bidders outside the country to participate in the auction exercise. It will be a long-term solution to the challenges faced in the execution of enforcement orders.
79. The provision of Legal Aid services through the Maison d’Accès à la Justice (MAJ) services and Abunzi (Conciliators) committees at local level have improved access to universal, quality and affordable justice. MAJ Staff based at district level facilitate access to legal aid activity at district level and the decentralized outreach activities at the administrative sector level to facilitate the population, including vulnerable groups, to have access to quality and affordable justice. At the community level, there are Abunzi committees that facilitate Alternative Disputes Resolution (ADR) mechanisms and they provide free service to the beneficiaries through the Government (JRLOs) support. Citizens have shown a good level of satisfaction with MAJ and Abunzi services. This satisfaction stands at the average of 81.31% and 82.23% for Abunzi and MAJ respectively for the period between 2016 and 2019.32
80. The Ministry of justice signed an agreement with Rwanda Bar Association, and provides some funds per year to the Bar, to represent minors and indigent who are in conflicts with the law. From 2015 to June 2020, 8,183 minors have been assisted/represented in court while 10,343 indigents have been assisted/represented during the same period through legal aid.33
81. In June 2018 the GoR reduced court fees for more than 50%. Ministerial Order N°
133/MOJ/AG/18 on court fees in civil, commercial, social and administrative matters was passed to this effect. This replace the Ministerial Order N°002/08.11 of 11/02/2014 on Court Fees in Civil, Commercial, Social and Administrative Matters. In Primary Court, fees were reduce from FRW 25,000 to FRW 10,000; from FRW 50,000 to FRW 20,000 in Intermediate and Commercial Court; from FRW 75,000 to FRW 40,000 in High Court and Commercial High Court. The Court of Appeal was created in 2018 the fee is FRW 50,000.
For the Supreme Court, while the fee was FRW 100,000 in 2014, no fee is required under the 2018 Ministerial Order.
82. Furthermore, at the grass root level, women are playing a visible role in conflict management and justice structures. They represent 44.3% of community mediators (Abunzi) and 48% of the access to Justice Bureaus (MAJ). They also contribute to providing free legal services to citizens, including victims of GBV and child abuse.34 83. The Ministry of Justice adopted the Justice Sector Strategic Plan spanning from 2018 to 2024 aimed at enhancing rule of law to promote accountable governance and a culture of peace for poverty reduction.
84. With regards to corruption, Rwanda continues to be among the leading nations on the fight against corruption. A new law on anti-corruption (2018) was adopted, representing Rwanda’s more aggressive step to achieve good governance through preventing and fighting corruption.
85. The Ministry of Justice started ensuring the quality of public contracts signed through an online e-procurement system. This system (UMUCYO) has enabled the full compliance of public contracts as it is not possible to sign online without the legal opinion and permission of the Ministry of Justice.
86. The Ministry of Justice follows the recovery of embezzled funds in partnership with Rwanda Revenue Authority, Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration, Rwanda National Police, National Identity Authority, Association of Professional Court Bailiffs, Rwanda Land Management and Use Authority, Trans-Union Africa Regions - Rwanda and local authorities.
87. The Ministry of Justice also has a Corruption Convict Database and a relevant unity in the Ministry is tasked to recover embezzled funds from convicts. For the past 5 years a total of FRW 1.898.321.400 and USD 6.943 was recovered while FRW 1.972.428.679 and USD 29,904 is still in the process of being recovered.
8. Rights of the Child (Recommendations 133.15, 133.16, 133.21, 133.22, 133. 23, 133.37, 133.38, 133.39, 133.45, 133.46)
Birth registration (Recommendations 133.15, 133.16)
88. A lot of progress has been recorded in birth registration both in terms of the legal and policy framework but also in terms of building capacities and raising awareness for increased birth registration in Rwanda. The Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) development was a central focus under the previous National Strategy for the Development,35 with significant successes on piloting the web-based CRVS registration system. These together with the shift from paper-based to web-based birth registration increased birth registration from 56% in 201536 to 89% in 2019.37 Staff from relevant institutions were trained on how to use the system.
89. Moreover, the birth registration period was extended to 30 days in the new law No 32/2016 governing persons and family (article 100). The issuance of the birth certificate after registration of birth is mandatory and it is monitored in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government.
90. To facilitate and to reduce the risk of non-registration necessary legal reforms were undertaken and as a result38, on 10th August 2020 Rwanda launched births and deaths registration which will be taking place at health facilities.
91. Furthermore, a system to register children born in refugee camps was initiated and is fully implemented across all refugee camps in Rwanda. Extensive sensitization campaigns on birth registration were conducted and children were registered free of charge. This is also extended through mass media, meetings and workshops at all levels.
Child protection and adequate standard of living (Recommendations 133.21, 133.22, 133.23, 133.37, 133.38)
92. The Government of Rwanda is committed to protecting the rights of children and youth from sexual violence, exploitation and any other form of abuse and neglect. Strong legal, policy and institutional frameworks have been put in place to continue protecting the rights of children and ensuring that perpetrators of sexual violence and child trafficking are brought to justice and held accountable.
93. Rwanda has also put in place child friendly mechanisms for children, to receive, monitor and investigate complaints. Toll free lines are in place to enhance reporting cases of GBV and child abuse (3512 in RNP, 3677 in NPPA, 5798 in GMO, 2560 in MIGEPROF, 3545 in MINADEF, 3936 and 3736 in MINIJUST, 199 in Ombudsman, 3430 in NCHR and 3512 in RIB).
94. The above-mentioned mechanisms coupled with other efforts to implement the laws have resulted in increased reporting, investigations and prosecutions of SGBV cases. In 2015 a total of 814 cases were pronounced by courts while 840, 830, 2,293, 2,537 and 3,009 were pronounced in 2015/2016, 2016/2017, 2017/2018, 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 respectively.
95. Another step to address child protection problems and offer assistance to children living on the streets was the establishment of the Rwanda National Rehabilitation Service by Law N° 17/2017 of 28/04/2017 with the mandate of eradicating all forms of deviant behaviours by instilling positive behaviours, educating and providing professional skills.
96. Since the establishment of NRS in 2017, a total of 4,416 children have benefited from the psychosocial rehabilitation program,39 reunited with their families and reintegrated into schools. In line with prevention, 2,281 children were removed from the street and immediately reunited with their families without necessarily going through centers.
Regular, door to door visits are conducted to ensure that children are still in families and resumed their studies.
Children with disabilities (Recommendations 133.45, 133.46)
97. The Government of Rwanda continues to put in place mechanisms that ensure that children with disabilities have equal access to adequate social and health services, as well as accessibility to buildings and installations. This is seen with the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda revised in 2015, which prohibits discrimination based on disability.
98. A Ministerial Order No 007/2016 of 01/03/2016 determining modalities for special treatment of Persons with Disabilities in school was also established as a step to improve the rights of children with disabilities.
99. Additionally, the National Council of Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) in collaboration with Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) started conducting an accessibility audit countrywide for public and private buildings offering public services (public offices, schools, markets, hospitals…). From 2015 to 2017, a total of 5 secondary cities and 150 public institutions offices, Districts and Sectors were audited. Audited institutions were given recommendations on how to cater for services delivery to persons with disabilities.
100. Health insurance schemes in Rwanda pays special attention to children with disabilities. Under the law on health insurance, unlike other children, children with disabilities that prevent him/her from earning a living shall continue to be insured even though he/she may be aged more than twenty-five (25) years.
101. The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government through the National Council of Persons with Disabilities conducted the categorization where 154, 236 PwDs were categorized in their degrees of disability and Disability Cards were provided. Based on that exercise, some benefits were provided like direct support to Persons with Disabilities in category 1 and 2 of disability with at least one person at home eligible for public work.
102. There are now about 15 prosthesis making centres which have signed MoUs with the NCPD. To ease access to ortho-prosthetic appliances, the Ministry of Health, after a consultative process including health insurances, association of orthopaedic technicians, rehabilitation workshops, established a revised tariff for ortho-prosthetic appliances in favour of people living with disabilities.
103. The GoR has established two (2) specialized and referral centres offering healthcare services and assistive devices for children with disabilities; Rilima and HVP Gatagara . Services in these two centres are covered by the community-based health insurance. Also, two main hospitals in the country namely Kigali University Teaching Hospital (CHUK) and Butare University Teaching Hospital (CHUB) provide orthotics and prosthesis to people with disabilities based on Community Health Insurance (mutuelle de santé).
104. There is now a national strategy for inclusive education, and a national committee on inclusive education within the University of Rwanda. Since that strategy, the number of PwDs with access to education has increased from 25,561 in 2015 in all levels of education, to 104,596 in 2019.40
9. Trafficking (Recommendations 133.19, 133.20, 133.21)
Child trafficking (Recommendations 133.20, 133.21)
105. The Government of Rwanda continues to make efforts in fighting and preventing human trafficking. Strong legal, policy and institutional frameworks have been put in place to continue protecting the rights of children and ensuring that perpetrators of sexual violence and child trafficking are brought to justice and held accountable.
106. In 2018, Never Again Rwanda (NAR) in collaboration with (the Ministry of Justice and with the support of International Organization for Migration (IOM) conducted a combined national research entitled “Understanding Human Trafficking in Rwanda: Cause, Effects and Impact”41, and the research revealed that Rwanda was used as a transit and not as origin, and that most victims were youth, and women and girls.
107. The findings of the research informed the drafting of the National Action Plan on counter-Human Trafficking which is at the stage of adoption by the Cabinet.
108. The Law No 51/2018 of 13/08/2018 relating to the prevention, suppression and punishment of trafficking in persons and exploitation of others was adopted and its Article 12 specifically provides special assistance to the child victim.
109. Rwanda has also put in place child friendly mechanisms for children, to receive, monitor and investigate complaints. This includes a three digit ‘166’ child helpline which was established at the National Police.
110. Rwanda has improved its competency to adjudicate human trafficking cases by enacting the human trafficking law,providing relevant training for members of the judicial system.
111. From 2018 and 2019, about 100 law enforcement officers: investigators, prosecutors, agents of immigration were trained on investigation and prosecution technics of human trafficking, through the support of US State Department, with the expertise of UNODC and IOM.
112. The above-mentioned mechanisms coupled with other efforts to implement the laws have resulted in increased reporting, investigations and prosecutions of SGBV and trafficking cases. In the period between 2017 and 2018, three hundred and eleven (311) cases were recorded by Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration (DGIE) indicating that in certain instances a single human trafficking case comprised more than one victim.
113. Within the same period, 85 cases of human trafficking were adjudicated. The conviction rates, based on the cases that went to trial, increased from 12.5% in 2016 to 41.7% in 2017 and to 53.3% in 2018. In 2019/2020, the Prosecution recorded 29 cases of human trafficking among them 16 were lodged to the court. Worth to note that the acquittal rates declined. Increased conviction and cases identification rates could be a result of awareness in the community and of officials better handling human trafficking cases.
10. Labour, poverty and development (Recommendations 133. 34, 133.35 133.49, 133.50)
Access to internet (Recommendation 133.34)
114. In February 2017, the Government of Rwanda established the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA).42
115. In November 2017, the Government of Rwanda adopted a 7-year ICT Sector Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan shows that Rwanda had experienced a tremendous increase in internet penetration during the last 7 years. In 2011, the internet penetration was at 7%. It had been increased to 39.76% by May 2017. By March 2020, internet penetration was at 62.9%.43
116. According to the Joint ICT Sector Review 2019/2020, over the past 10 years, there has been continued penetration of smart devices such as; computers, smartphones and tablets. As of 2018, Rwanda recorded strong coverage of 4G LTE services by reaching 96.7% geographic coverage and 96.6% of population coverage. While 3G and 3.5G services remained at the rate of 93.37% of population coverage.44
117. Regarding the active mobile telephone subscriptions, the subscriptions stood at 77.8% by December 201545, it was increased to 81.5% in April 202046.
118. The ICT Sector Strategic Plan projection is that the internet penetration will be at 80% by 2024.
Economy and unemployment (Recommendations 133.35, 133.49, 133.50)
119. Rwanda has scored sustained economic growth rates since the year 2000. Between then and 2018, GDP grew at an average of 7.9% a year and GDP per capita increased from 225 USD in 2000 to 787 USD in 2018. In 2018, Rwanda’s economy grew at 8.6%, influenced by the performance of the agriculture sector, which grew at 6%, industry mat 10% (mainly due to high growth in construction and manufacturing sectors), and services sector, which grew at 9%.
120. The labour force surveys (LFSs) show that the unemployment rates have been decreasing for all categories. In fact, between 2016 and 2019, the overall unemployment rate decreased from 18.8% to 14.5%; male unemployment decreased from 15.7% to 13.8%, and female unemployment decreased from 22.7% to 15.4% over the same period. Youth unemployment remains higher than average, at 19.3% in 2019, down from 21.5% in 2016.
The overall labour force participation decreased from 54% in 2017 to 52.5% in 2019, with that of male decreasing from 62.7% to 61.9% and female from 46.4% to 44.2%.
121. The National Employment Program (NEP, 2014-2019) was established to cover a range of interventions focusing on empowering youth and women through entrepreneurship, access to finance such as the Business Development Fund that provides guarantee especially to women and youth, skills development and access to technology and employment services in partnership with the private sector.
122. Gender Mainstreaming Strategy for Employment (2018-2024) was developed to promote gender sensitive employment strategic actions aimed at bridging gender gaps in the employment sector. Furthermore, in 2017, Rwanda launched the Private Sector Development and Youth Employment Strategy for the 2018-2024, specifically targeting youth employment. The Government of Rwanda has also approved a number of policies and strategies aiming at promoting employment in Rwanda, including: the National Skills Development and Employment Promotion Strategy (2019), National Employment Policy and its implementation plan (2019) and the National Mobility Policy (2019).
123. Rwanda has also made significant strides in reducing inequality while concurrently reducing poverty. In terms of indicators, this trend is summarized by the proportion of the population living below the national poverty line that was 60.4% in 2000/01 to then reach 38.2% in 2017. During the same period, extreme poverty reduced from 40% to 16%. In general population.47 Further, statistics show that 39.5% of female-headed households are classified as poor compared to 37.6% of male-headed households.48 Incidence of extreme poverty slightly reduced among female-headed households during the same period from 16.3% (EICV4) to 16% (EICV5).49
11. Human rights defenders (Recommendation 133.31)
124. The GoR recognizes the contribution of human rights defenders in the context of Human Rights Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). In this regard, National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP 2017-2020), recognizes human rights defenders among stakeholders in the national human rights agenda. The engagement and collaboration between GoR and Civil Society working in the field of Human Rights have improved remarkably, and CSOs enjoy free space to conduct their activities.
12. Right to health, food, water and sanitation (Recommendations 133.36, 133.39, 133.40, 133.41, 133.42)
Food and nutrition (Recommendations 133.36, 133.39)
125. Rwanda has developed comprehensive policies and strategies that contribute to ending hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition. It has been progressing steadily in its fight against hunger and malnourishment. Rwanda has put in place a monitoring process including conducting Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis (CFSVA), which was produced for the fifth time in 2018, to assess food security and vulnerability under the overall leadership of the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda.
126. Agriculture as the main sector that contributes to the progress in improving food security has been growing on average by 6% over the last decade. According to the CFSVA (2018) report, 81.3% of all households are food secure against 80.6% in 2015.50
127. Furthermore, the Government of Rwanda has established an ICT platform–E-Soko, aiming at providing agricultural market pricing information to farmers, enabling them to make informed decisions.
128. The government recognizes the urgency of protecting children from 0-6 years from the effect of poverty and its implications on human capital and has put in place a multi- sectoral programme, the National Early Childhood Development Programme (NECDP) (2016-2021). NECDP is set to eradicate child malnutrition.
129. The GoR provides regular micronutrient powder (Ongera Intungamubiri) in all 30 districts to children aged 6-23 months and pregnant and lactating women in vulnerable households.51
130. In addition, milk is distributed to under 5 years old children with acute malnutrition.
Moreover, the school feeding program, which aims at preventing and reducing malnutrition among School going Children in Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Early Childhood Development (ECD) are being strengthened. The One Cup of Milk per Child program, which is run under the school feeding program, helped at preventing and reducing malnutrition children. So far, 431,348 children beneficiated this program and it has positively influenced the enrolment rate of children under 6 years.
131. With regards to scaling up ECD interventions, to date 4,139 ECDs have been established including model ECDs Centres and community based ECDs, such as the village kitchen –cooking demonstration kitchens through which parents, especially those with malnourished children are shown how to prepare balanced diet using locally produced food.
Water and sanitation (Recommendation 133.40)
132. During the period under review, the GoR continued to invest efforts towards the full realization of the human right to water and sanitation.
133. According to the Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV5) conducted in 2016/2017 shows progress in the use of improved drinking water sources.
Households with access to improved sources are 87.4 % as compared to 85% reported over three years at the national level. Usage rates are higher in urban areas (96%) compared to rural areas (85%). Out of 87.4% Households with access to improved water sources; 9.4 % of Households have access to drinking water at their dwelling, 65.1% households have access to basic drinking water (get access to water supply within 30 minutes round trip including queue) and the rest get access to limited water supply services.
134. Regarding sanitation, households with access to improved sanitation facilities is 86.2
% as per EICV5 compared to 83% reported in 2013/2014. Out of 86.2 %; 66.2% of Households use basic sanitation services (use of improved sanitation facility not shared with other HH), 20% of households have access to improved sanitation facilities shared with other HH. 10% of Households have access to unimproved sanitation facilities and 3.8% of Households countrywide has no sanitation facilities.
135. Regarding access to water, NST1 indicates that access to water will be scaled up to all from 87.4% (EICV5) to 100% by 2024 and daily water production capacity shall be increased from 182,120 to 303,120 cubic meters per day.
136. Concerning sanitation and hygiene it is projected that access to sanitation and hygiene will be scaled up to all from 86.2% (EICV5) to 100% and waste management systems will be developed in cities, towns and rural areas.
Health (Recommendations 133.41, 133.42)
137. For the last five years the Government of Rwanda continued to invest in the development of the health system which resulted in further progress on the right to health for Rwandans.
138. Regarding health services delivery, the GoR has managed to create a well- established network of health facilities with good geographical coverage, supported by an adequate fleet of ambulances for the pre-hospital and emergencies services. The healthcare packages have been defined for each level, down from the community level up to the referral level. Accreditation standards were developed, disseminated and implemented in all public hospitals and quality assurance teams established in each health facility.
139. During the period under review, geographical accessibility to health care services has been improved. In this regard, public and private health facilities (i.e. hospitals, health centres, health posts, clinics, dispensaries, polyclinics and specialized clinics) increased from 1,285 to 1,735 between 2016 and 2019. Particularly, during the same period the number of health posts increased from 471 to 885.52
140. As of December 2019, close to nine in ten (89%) public health facilities in Rwanda had permanent electricity , Fifty-seven percent (57%) of health facilities without a permanent source of electricity (i.e. not connected to the national grid) were using a generator as a source of electricity. Twenty-nine percent (29%) were using solar panel as a source of electricity. The target in Health Sector Strategic Plan IV (HSSPIV) is to have all public health facilities connected to the national grid by 2024.53
141. With regards to water, by December 2019, close to 8 in ten public health facilities in Rwanda had a permanent source of water (connected to the national water network).
142. The National Centre for Blood Transfusion (NCBT) sustained its mission of providing safe, effective and adequate blood to all patients in need. For instance, the rate of hospital satisfaction (Demand Vs Supply) for all blood components increased by 22.1%, down from 70.5% in the fiscal year 2016–2017 to 92.6% in the year 2017-2018 (91,728 units of blood components demanded by hospitals Vs 83,134 blood component units supplied by the NCBT to the hospitals).54
143. The recent innovation of the use of drones to deliver lifesaving blood, essential medicines and vaccines to different health facilities across the country improved the accessibility and availability of lifesaving blood. So far, 54 health facilities including 24 hospitals and 34 health centres are being served on a daily basis with an average of 50 drones’ deliveries per day.
144. Remote clinics can place orders via text message and immediately the drones launched from the Zipline distribution centre to the health facility for delivery. The average turn-around time from ordering to product delivery at the hospitals has been reduced from about 4 hours to 15-50 minutes depending on the proximity of the hospital from the distribution centre. Since its launch, drones have flown over 600,000 miles on more than 31000 flights where more than 62000 products have been delivered to different health facilities.
145. With the view to strengthening Emergency Medical Services, the GoR continues to particularly invest in availing ambulances. Number of ambulances increased from 172 in 2016 to 273 in 2019. In the year 2018-2019, the average response time was 61 minutes for primary transfers and 53 minutes for secondary transfers.
146. There has been as well a fair improvement in human resources for health (HRH).
The number of HRH has dramatically increased during the last 10 years as follows: Doctors per population ratio has changed from one doctor/16,001 people in 2010 to 1/8,294 in 2019;
Nurses per population ratio has changed from one nurse/1,291 people in 2010 to 1/1,189 in 2019; while Midwives per population ratio has changed from 1 midwife/66,749 Women in Reproductive age people in 2010 to 1/1,989 in 2019.55
147. While on one hand these positive changes are seen, the GoR is aware of the existing gap is still significant and commits to continue investing in the area of human resources to meet the required global health standards and commitments.
148. With regard to health systems financing, it is worth noting that the GoR spending on health has surpassed the 15% required under the 2001 Abuja Declaration (with 15.8% as of end of Fiscal year 2018/19) showing the country's high commitment and support to the development of the health sector financing.
149. Risk pooling has been greatly improved because of the extension of the Community- Based Health Insurance (CBHI) scheme, which allows the majority of the population access to healthcare services and reduces significantly out-of-pocket expenditures in particular for the poor and most vulnerable people. The CBHI coverage was 79% as of end of Fiscal year 2018/19.
150. Progress has also been registered in the area of obstetrical care. Assisted delivery in health facilities remained above 90% since fiscal year 2015/2016. Regarding antenatal care, there is high utilization of antenatal care (ANC) in Rwanda, with most pregnant women having at least one ANC visit over the period of their pregnancies. However, only 40% of women attended an ANC visit during the first trimester. Of all pregnant women, only 32.2% attended all four standard ANC visits.56
151. Concerning family planning, by June 30, 2019, the modern contraceptive prevalence rate (mCPR) in Rwanda was at 53.1%.57
152. Regarding immunization among children, as of 2018/2019 fiscal year, 103%
children received BCG, 100% received Polio 0, 101% children have been vaccinated for Penta 1, and 94% were vaccinated for MR2 at 15 months of age.58
13. Asylum-seekers – refugees
Recommendations 133.47, 133.48
153. The practice of hosting asylum seekers and refugees in Rwanda continues and the country has made efforts to improve their basic human rights and living conditions. Since 2015 Rwanda has hosted at least 126,624 refugees and asylum seekers. In addition, Rwanda received 306 asylum seekers who were evacuated from Libya under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the GoR, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and the African Union (AU).
154. The GoR, in collaboration with UNHCR made efforts to improve the welfare of refugees. Refugees camps have health centres, Refugee children have access to education, particularly 12-year basic education. A system to register children born as refugees is in place and implemented across all refugee camps in Rwanda. Some services offered through Isange One Stop Centres (IOSC) are also made available in refugee camps.
IV. Challenges
155. Generally, the implementation of the recommendations from Rwanda’s second review and the report drafting process have been smooth. However, few challenges have been encountered but proper mitigation strategies were adopted and successfully implemented.
156. The first challenge concerns the data and information collection process. During the period under review, Rwanda did not have an IT based system to collect information on the status of implementation from implementing agencies. To mitigate this challenge, the Ministry of Justice which is in charge of coordinating the implementation and reporting process organized as many stakeholders’ meetings as possible.
157. The second challenge is about statistics. Regarding this particular challenge it is worth noting that the periodicity (cycle) of UPR does not match with the periodicity of some statistical publications by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR). As such, some of the main statistical publications are not used as sources in the UPR report as information contained thereof are outdated at the reporting time. To deal with this challenge, the report uses and cites statistics and data obtained from published institutional annual reports. This could however, leave a slight possibility of discrepancies once national data and statistics are made available.
Notes
1 The task force is composed of government institutions and civil society organizations.
2 Prior to the reporting period, regular consultations were held with the task force, development partners and civil society with a view to monitoring the implementation process.
3 These include: Law No 32/2016 of 28/8/2016 governing persons and family; Law No 27/2016 of 08/07/2016 governing matrimonial regimes, donations and successions; Law N°30/2018 of
