WESTERN PROVINCE

NYAMASHEKE—The Rwanda Human Rights Commission (RHRC) over the weekend donated 37 mobile telephone handsets and 37 bicycles to its volunteers in Nyamasheke and Rusizi districts.

The items were handed over by Metre Nkongoli, a commissioner of RHRC, to 22 human rights commission volunteers drawn from the 18 sectors of Rusizi district, and other 15 volunteers across Nyamasheke. 

Handing over the donation, Nkongoli said that the items were meant to bridge the communication gap between the beneficiaries and RHRC management on various issues concerning human rights situation in the region.

"The main objective of giving you mobile phones is to simplify communication between you as our human rights volunteers and the human rights management in Kigali.

And we have also given you bicycles in order for you to always work as our human rights watchdogs in the region,” Nkongoli said.

He urged the volunteers to promote respect of human rights in the area and to report those who violate human rights of others to the concerned authorities in time.

To promote equality, he urged the volunteers to stand up against the abuse of children’s and women rights in their  localities.

He said the volunteers needed to exhibit integrity and fight all form of injustice and genocide ideology.

Damascene Nyandwi, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries said, "We are very happy as human rights volunteers to have received mobile phones and bicycles….. we are determined to work with the Human Rights Commission in all ways.”

During the same occasion, the volunteers were also awarded certificates after completing training in various issues concerning human rights.  

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