Rwanda has made notable strides in strengthening human rights protections, but persistent challenges in areas such as access to justice, land compensation, labour rights and civic participation still require urgent attention, stakeholders said at a forum organised by Never Again Rwanda in Kigali.

The workshop, held on June 19 under the theme "Human Rights: Our Everyday Essentials,” also marked the launch of Never Again Rwanda’s first human rights report, which acknowledges great progress in strengthening legal and institutional safeguards while drawing attention to persistent barriers to the effective realisation and protection of human rights in Rwanda.

Discussions focused on key human rights issues, including civic space and democratic participation, economic security and livelihood protection, access to justice, gender equality, social protection, and the rights of marginalized communities. Panellists also shared regional perspectives and experiences on emerging human rights challenges across the region.

The dialogue further highlighted ongoing concerns affecting the full realization of human rights in Rwanda, particularly in justice delivery, land compensation, labour rights, civic participation, access to information, gender-based violence response, and the inclusion of marginalized communities.

Speaking at the event, Never Again Rwanda Executive Director Joseph Ryarasa said the objective was not to criticise institutions but to create space for constructive dialogue on issues affecting citizens.

"Rwanda has made significant progress in rebuilding the country, establishing institutions and expanding citizens’ rights. But there are still issues that need to be addressed early if we are to achieve our aspirations of becoming a self-reliant country by 2050,” he said.

Ryarasa noted that despite existing laws and political commitment, some citizens continue to face challenges such as delayed compensation following expropriation, lengthy court processes and labour rights concerns.

"We invited all these institutions so that we can speak frankly, understand the challenges and jointly explore solutions. These are issues that should be addressed through dialogue within our own institutions and communities,” he said.

Oskar Karnebäck, First Secretary at the Swedish Embassy in Rwanda, said human rights should be understood as everyday realities rather than abstract legal concepts.

"Human rights are about the right to express an opinion, secure a livelihood, access justice and shape one’s future. Social and economic development cannot be fully realised without the protection and empowerment of individual rights,” he said.

Report highlights persistent gaps

While recognising Rwanda’s progress in strengthening human rights protections, the report identifies continuing challenges in justice delivery, land compensation, access to information, labour rights, civic participation and the protection of vulnerable groups.

Among the concerns raised are delays in justice delivery, barriers to legal representation, prolonged court proceedings and cases in which litigants arrive in court only to discover their files are missing from case management systems.

The report notes that correctional facilities remain under pressure, operating at 110 per cent occupancy despite efforts to reduce overcrowding through alternative sentencing measures.

Land disputes and expropriation-related complaints remain among the most common grievances, with delays in compensation, valuation disputes and inadequate consultation continuing to feature prominently.

Researchers and CSOs also reported difficulties accessing public information needed for analysis and advocacy, while some regulatory requirements continue to affect civic participation and the work of civil society organisations.

Labour rights also emerged as a key concern. The report notes that Rwanda’s unemployment rate stands at 12.4 per cent, while labour force underutilisation has reached 56 per cent, disproportionately affecting women, youth and rural communities.

The assessment further points to challenges affecting survivors of gender-based violence, persons with disabilities and historically marginalised communities.

While commending the role of Isange One Stop Centers, which have provided integrated services to more than 35,000 survivors, the report highlights gaps in shelter capacity, staffing and long-term reintegration support.

Adolescent pregnancy remains another concern, affecting about 5 per cent of girls aged 15 to 19.

The report also raises concerns about conditions in transit centers, the treatment of occupants and the need for more sustainable interventions to address the root causes of delinquency and social vulnerability.

Cooperation and implementation

Providence Umurungi, Chairperson of the National Commission for Human Rights, recognised the importance of the report in informing policy discussions.

"Human rights advancement is a continuous process. No single institution can safeguard human rights alone. It requires cooperation among government institutions, civil society, development partners and citizens themselves,” she said.

Umurungi said many of the findings mirror concerns previously identified by the commission and noted that prison overcrowding has reduced significantly in recent years, although challenges remain.

She also called for stronger prevention efforts targeting school dropouts, family conflicts and youth delinquency.

"We should not only focus on managing existing problems. We must also address the root causes and prevent them from happening in the first place,” she said.

Legal expert Jean Paul Ibambe argued that many challenges stem not from a lack of laws but from gaps in implementation and public awareness.

"Having laws is important, but the real question is whether people are experiencing those rights in their daily lives. Human rights should be reflected in how people access justice, receive services and participate in decisions that affect them,” he said.

Addressing concerns about transit centers, Ibambe added: "The issue is not whether transit centres should exist. The issue is ensuring that the rights of those taken there are respected and that the underlying causes that bring people there are adequately addressed.”

Other participants stressed the need to strengthen civic participation, access to information and accountability mechanisms, while investing more in programmes addressing youth delinquency, school dropout rates and family-related challenges.

Never Again Rwanda’s follow-up mechanism

Ryarasa said Never Again Rwanda will engage institutions individually to discuss the report’s recommendations and monitor implementation.

"Research alone is not enough. We must continue engaging institutions, discussing findings and following up on the issues citizens raise,” he said.

As part of that effort, the organisation plans to establish a social justice desk to track complaints reported by citizens, ranging from compensation disputes to alleged institutional misconduct, and facilitate referrals to relevant authorities.

"Human rights and governance issues require continuous conversation, cooperation and accountability. The goal is not simply to identify problems, but to work together to solve them,” Ryarasa said.