Rwanda Urged to Strengthen Human Rights Efforts, Focus on Prison Overcrowding

Kigali, Rwanda - Dr. Andrews Kananga, Director General of the Legal Aid Forum (LAF), has called on Rwanda to strengthen efforts to respect human rights, particularly by addressing prison overcrowding. He made the remarks on December 12, 2025, during the International Human Rights Day celebration in Kigali.

Dr. Kananga highlighted that in January 2026, Rwanda will participate in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the UN Human Rights Council. The LAF, together with civil society partners, submitted a report detailing areas for improvement, including the need to align prison populations with facility capacity.

“In the report we prepared, we emphasized that although prison overcrowding has decreased, efforts must continue to ensure detention conditions respect international and national standards,” said Dr. Kananga.

According to the National Human Rights Commission, the prison population in Rwanda fell by 24.3% in 2024/2025, decreasing from 134.3% to 110% of capacity compared to the previous year. Commission President Umurungi Providence stressed that human rights are a continuous effort: “No country can claim to have fully achieved human rights. We have made progress, but the journey continues.”

Wibabara Charity, Head of the Department of International Justice and International Cooperation at the Ministry of Justice, reminded citizens that all people are equal before the law and that human rights are inviolable, emphasizing Rwanda’s ongoing legal reforms to strengthen protections.

The LAF also highlighted other areas requiring attention, including:

Improving the lives of rural women and increasing their visibility in local and national governance.

Combating human trafficking through youth-targeted awareness campaigns, particularly addressing risks on social media.

Continued protection of children’s rights and vulnerable populations.

Dr. Kananga concluded that respecting human rights is a continuous journey, requiring sustained efforts across multiple sectors to ensure all citizens are treated with dignity and fairness.