This page summarizes cases raised with Rwanda by the Special Rapporteur between May 1, 2011, (when the Special Rapporteur took up his functions) and February 28, 2017 (the date of the last public release of communications). Communications are released to the public once per year. This page also contains observations on these communications and on responses received from Rwanda.
Communications and observations are divided into sections based upon which observation report they originally appeared.
Each communication is referenced as urgent appeal (UA), allegation letter (AL), joint urgent appeal (JUA) and joint allegation letter (JAL) – the hyperlinks lead to these documents. This is followed by the date the communication was issued, as well as the case number and the State reply (also hyperlinked if available).
Summaries and communications are published only in the language of submission (in the case of Rwanda, French).
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Observations
Responses to communications
The Special Rapporteur notes that he has not received a response to the allegations contained in his communication indicating that the ousted members of the LIPRODHOR had been arrested for their legitimate exercise of the right to associate (RWA 2/2014). He considers responses to the questions raised in his communications as an important part of the cooperation of Governments with his mandate, in accordance with Human Rights Council resolutions 24/5 (2013), 21/16 (2012) and 15/21 (2010). In the absence of information to the contrary, the Special Rapporteur concludes that there is substance in the allegations presented in his communication.
Negative obligation of the State to not unduly interfere with these rights
The Special Rapporteur reiterates his grave concern about the reported arrests and temporary detentions of ousted members of LIPRODHOR and the prohibition to let them hold a general assembly meeting in November 2014. Furthermore, he restates that through the reported formal recognition of the of LIPRODHOR’s disputed new leadership in 2013, the Rwanda Governance Board appears to have unlawfully interfered with the right of associations to freely determine their own boards, status and activities.
The Special Rapporteur warns against States’ interferences that may seriously impair the enjoyment of the rights under his mandate (A/HRC/20/27, paragraph 20). He emphasizes the negative obligation of Rwandan authorities not to unduly obstruct the exercise of the right to freedom of association. Members of associations should be free to determine their statutes, structure and activities and make decisions without State interference and associations pursuing objectives and employing means in accordance with international human rights law should benefit from international legal protection (A/HRC/20/27, paragraph 64).
Country visit
The Special Rapporteur takes this opportunity to reiterate his thanks to the Government for the visit he undertook from 20 to 27 January 2014. He recalls the exemplary cooperation of the Government during the mission and remains grateful for its willingness to continue its efforts to engage in open and constructive dialogue.
Observations
Réponse à la communication
Le Rapporteur spécial regrette de ne pas avoir reçu de réponse aux allégations contenues dans sa communication RWA 2/2015 indiquant des allégations d’arrestations et d’actes de harcèlement et d’intimidation envers plusieurs membres de la Ligue des droits de la personne dans la région des Grands Lacs (LDGL). Il considère les réponses aux questions soulevées dans ses communications comme une partie importante de la coopération des gouvernements avec son mandat, conformément aux résolutions du Conseil des droits de l’homme 24/5 (2013), 21/16 (2012) et 15/21 (2010).
Le Rapporteur spécial réitère ses préoccupations au sujet des allégations de harcèlement, d’arrestations signalées, de détentions temporaires des membres de la LDGL, mais aussi des interrogations qu’ils ont dû subir au sujet de la tenue de leur assemblée générale, ainsi qu’au sujet de la légalité du nouveau Comité directeur de la LGDL. Le Rapporteur spécial s’inquiète du fait qu’il semblerait que ces actes soient directement liés leur exercice de leur droits la liberté d’expression et à la liberté d’association et qu’ils risqueraient d’avoir un effet dissuasif sur l’exercice de la liberté d’association et d’expression au Rwanda.
Le Rapporteur spécial souligne les commentaires et les recommandations effectués dans le cadre de son rapport faisant suite à sa visite au Rwanda dans le cadre de son mandat (A/HRC/26/29/Add.2). En particulier, il s’inquiète du fait que la société civile, et en particulier les organisations non-gouvernementales et les partis politiques d’opposition, voient leur champ d’actions de plus en plus limité dans le droit et la pratique, ce qui a pour effet de limiter leurs droits de réunion pacifique, de liberté d’association et de liberté d’expression, de manière inquiétante.
Il réitère son appel aux autorités à « reconnaître en droit et en pratique, que les droits à la liberté de réunion pacifique et d’association jouent un rôle décisif dans l’émergence et la maintenance de systèmes démocratiques efficaces car ils sont un canal pour le dialogue, le pluralisme, la tolérance et l’ouverture d’esprit, et où la minorité ou les opinions dissidentes ou croyances sont respectées » (A/HRC/26/29/Add.2, para. 86 a)).
Il demande une nouvelle fois aux autorités à prendre toutes les mesures adéquates pour assurer que les défenseurs des droits de l’homme puissent exercer leurs droits à la liberté d’association et de réunion pacifique dans un environnement favorable leur permettant de mener à bien leurs activités sans risque d’être exposés à des menaces, représailles, intimidations ou actes de harcèlement.
Observations
Responses to communications
The Special Rapporteur thanks the Government for the information provided in its answer received on 23 September 2016. The Rapporteur takes note of the fact that Mr. Kwokwo was allegedly expelled due to his “repeated violation of migration laws” and not in relation to his work as a human rights defender. We also note that the authorities never questioned Mr. Kwokwo about his human rights activities but rather summoned him to regularize his stay in Rwanda, and that he was never considered persona non grata. He further notes the different measures put in place to ensure a safe environment for NGOs and human rights defenders in Rwanda.
Environment in which these rights are exercised
Nevertheless, the Special Rapporteur remains concerned about the measures taken against Mr. Kwokwo which seem to be related to his work as a human rights defender and related to the exercise of his rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association.
The Special Rapporteur recalls recommendations he made in his country visit report on Rwanda, particularly to “Ensure a conducive and safe environment for everyone exercising or seeking to exercise his or her rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association” and to “ ensure that no one is criminalized for exercising the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, nor subject to threats or use of violence, harassment, persecution, intimidation or reprisals » (A/HRC/26/29/Add.2, par. 86).
Country visit
The Special Rapporteur takes this opportunity to reiterate his thanks to the Government for the visit he undertook from 20 to 27 January 2014. He recalls the exemplary cooperation of the Government during the mission and remains grateful for its willingness to continue its efforts to engage in open and constructive dialogue.
For the full reports, containing communications, replies and observations for all countries, see the following links:
Report A/HRC/20/27/Add.3: May 1, 2011 to March 15, 2012
Report A/HRC/23/39/Add.2: March 16, 2012 to February 28, 2013
Report A/HRC/26/29/Add.1: March 1, 2013 to February 28, 2014
Report A/HRC/29/25/Add.3: March 1, 2014 to February 28, 2015
Report A/HRC/32/36/Add.3: March 1, 2015 to February 28, 2016
Report A/HRC/35/28/Add.4: March 1, 2016 to February 28, 2017
