“The SCA received information which raises concerns regarding the effectiveness of the NCHR in dealing with serious human rights issues, including arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and discrimination against minorities.

The SCA notes that the NCHR reports to have undertaken various activities to address these issues, including visiting places of detention, monitoring court proceedings, and conducting work in relation to the economic and social rights of marginalised groups. The NCHR also reports that it has advocated for the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of all Persons from Enforced Disappearances.

The SCA encourages the NCHR to strengthen its efforts to address all human rights violations. The SCA further encourages the NCHR to ensure that its positions on these issues are publicly made available, where appropriate, as this will contribute to the credibility and accessibility of the institution for all people in Rwanda.

NHRIs are required to promote and ensure respect for all human rights, democratic principles and the strengthening of the rule of law in all circumstances, and without exception. Where serious violations of human rights are imminent, NHRIs are expected to conduct themselves with a heightened level of vigilance and independence.

In fulfilling its protection mandate, an NHRI must not only monitor, investigate and report on the human rights situation in the country, it should also undertake rigorous and systematic follow-up activities to promote and advocate for the implementation of its recommendations and findings, and the protection of those whose rights were found to be violated.”