UN committee advises on human rights focus

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has expressed appreciation over the establishment of an independent National Human Rights Commission in Rwanda, as well as the legislative and practical steps taken to eliminate institutionalised and other forms of racial discrimination. In its concluding observations and recommendations, adopted on Friday, it also commended state efforts to improve the economic and social rights of the minority Twa people, notably through the provision of housing.

However, it recommended that Rwanda ensure equal treatment of detainees before the law, and adequately respond to and prevent acts committed by members of the military or civilian authorities. It also advised Rwanda to continue efforts to shorten the duration of pre-trial detention, and suggested that an amnesty be granted to lesser offenders who had confessed to their crimes. The committee voiced concerns over youths spending long periods in detention, and recommended that efforts be made to reintegrate such juveniles into the community - notwithstanding “the serious and tragic acts which some juveniles were accused of by the courts”.