Every person is entitled to civil rights. And according to article 11 of civil code book one, the law governing persons and family states that: "the enjoyment of these legal rights and obligations starts at the time of birth.”

Article 13 of the same law goes further to explain that every person, no matter their nationality, is entitled to civil rights. It states: "A foreigner who regularly lives in Rwanda has the same rights as Rwandans unless otherwise provided for by the Law.”

This means that you are supposed to respect each and every person regardless of which country they come from. For instance, if you beat up your schoolmate, even if that person comes from another country, the law will not be bent to protect you because you are Rwandan.

Article 4 of civil code book one explains this concept by stating that "exercise of civil rights is not based on the status of being a citizen; citizenship is acquired and preserved in conformity with the Law of nationality.”

Article 4 further explains that the abuse of rights is not protected by the Law and that no right shall be exercised excessively or in unreasonable manner with the aim of causing prejudice.

This means that you are supposed to be careful not cause disturbance or harm or interference to your teachers or friends or siblings when you exercise your rights.

For example, every person has freedom of worship. So, if for instance your religion does not allow you to eat a certain type of food, you shouldn’t stop others from eating it because in so doing, you are interfering with their rights.

How then, are you supposed to exercise your rights without abusing other people’s rights? Article 5 of civil code book 1 says "Each person is bound to exercise his/her rights and to execute his/her obligations in good faith.”

The meaning of the phrase ‘in good faith’ is being fair and having honest intentions when you are dealing with other people.

Article 4 explains that good faith is always presumed by virtue of birth or effects of the right provided for by the Law. This means that you are supposed to be fair and have good intentions in accordance with the law for as long as you live.

There is no provision for the circumstances under which you are allowed to abuse other people’s rights. Article 4 continues to state that no one shall invoke good faith if it is incompatible with the degree of diligence required of him/her.