In the month of April, Health Development Initiative (HDI) conducted two workshops where the organization engagedDistrict Administration Security Support Organ (DASSO) officers, Social Economic Development Officers (SEDO) and Cell level Executive Secretaries from Kicukiro District in an open dialogue on fundamental human rights and laws as enshrined in the Constitution. 

The workshops were aimed at improving human rights approach to development, combating discrimination, and promoting inclusion. 

Additionally, the workshops were an opportunity to strengthen partnerships and build more collaboration between local government and civil society organisations. 

Speaking at the opening of the workshops, the Executive Director of HDI, Dr. Aflodis Kagaba said that besides maintaining public order and managing public safety, law enforcement personnel have the duty to be transparent and accountable to their communities. 

"Local leaders and security organs have a duty to make decisions and deliver services that are stigma and discrimination free. Your jobs are not easy, but the law must come at the forefront of everything that you do. Any member of the community that meets you should walk away feeling that they were treated in a fair and objective manner,” he said. 

On Child Rights

The Legal Affairs Specialist at City of Kigali, Ernest Nsengimana Ngoga told the participants that their actions must always be guided by fair judgement and the law to avoid violating human rights of those that they have a duty to protect.

Ngoga, who discussed the ‘Child Rights’ topic reminded the participants of their duty to respect, promote and protect systems that safeguard and fulfil child rights.

Citing the example of street children, Ngoga reminded that the Law relating to the Protection of the Child requires both administrative and judicial proceedings to primarily take into consideration the best interests of the child. 

He particularly pointed out Article 24 which states that a child cannot be in detention during the investigation process unless the charges against him or her are punishable with a term of imprisonment of more than 5 years. 

"The period of a child’s detention cannot exceed 15 days and it cannot be extended. Where the Judge estimates that it is necessary to continue to maintain detention, strict monitoring measures are required as replacement,” he said. 

Leaving No one Behind

The Program Officer of Key Populations at HDI, Sulemani Muhirwa touched on Article 21 of the Constitution which affirms the ‘State’s commitment to upholding the equality of all Rwandans before the law, and the eradication of discrimination and divisionism based on ethnicity, region, or on any other ground’.

Citing the example of documented cases of local authorities’ stigma, harassment and discrimination towards sex workers and members of the LGBT community, Muhirwa referred to Article 26 of the Rwandan Constitution on freedom of movement and residence which states that every Rwandan has the right to move freely and to reside anywhere in Rwanda.

He pointed out that sex work or homosexuality are not crimes in Rwanda and reminded them that including key populations in their development strategy advances the ‘leave no one behind’ principle under the National Strategy for Transformation.

"Instead of chasing sex workers and LGBTs from your areas, protect them from discrimination and stigma and assist them to access the right information and services that will protect them from HIV infection. This will not only reduce inequalities and vulnerabilities, but it will improve your communities’ potential,” he said.

The dialogues, which kicked off in Nyarugenge district will next be taken to Gasabo district in May.