Today, the United Nations System in Rwanda joins the People and Government of Rwanda in commemorating this year’s International Human Rights Day. This day has been set aside by the international community on the 10th of December every year for reflection on the progress made in the global struggle for justice, equality, non-discrimination and respect for the dignity and fundamental human rights of all peoples of the world. It is a day that is marked universally, and demonstrates the imperatives for adherence to human rights. On this day, exactly sixty-seven years ago, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), a document that serves as a statement of the aspirations of the people of the world regarding promotion and protection of basic human rights. The rights and freedoms enumerated in the Universal Declaration, which we celebrate today, are aimed at ensuring equality and non-discrimination for all, and are also aimed at ensuring that no one is left behind when it comes to decision-making in governance and building a society’s future. Where fundamental rights and freedoms are respected, each and every citizen is offered the opportunity to join in the discussions, to offer their ideas, to campaign for change – to participate in a full and meaningful way in the way the affairs of their societies and communities are managed. The return on that investment is a society tuned to the needs and aspirations of its constituents and by extension social cohesion and durable stability, arising from the feeling of belonging by all its citizens. This year, apart from commemorating the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we also wish to bring special focus to the adoption, 50 years ago, of two international treaties that would forever shape the architecture of international human rights: these are the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The two Covenants, along with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, have become what is called “the International Bill of Human Rights” which sets out the civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights that are the birth right of all human beings. By comprehensively dealing with all rights, and not just those that we have traditionally associated with human rights, notably the political rights, these conventions have laid the desirable foundation for a broader and more meaningful approach to promotion of human rights. In this way, we now attach as much importance to the right to health, the right to education, the right to freedom from hunger, protection of the rights of children and women and the right to personal security as we do to the rights to peaceful assembly, association, free speech and so on. To promote and raise awareness of the two Covenants on their 50th anniversary, the UN is launching today “Our Rights. Our Freedoms. Always.” a year-long campaign to underscore the inalienable and inherent rights of global citizens, now, and always. This also becomes the theme and slogan of today’s Human Rights Day commemoration. I am very pleased to note that here in Rwanda, most of the international instruments related to human rights have been ratified. Further, many of the rights and principles contained in these international instruments have been integrated in Rwandan national laws and policies. Indeed, there are many commendable initiatives undertaken by the Government of Rwanda in the domain of human rights that we at the UN are keen to support and collaborate in. For example, Rwanda’s constructive engagement with the Human Rights Council mechanism known as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) has created a very useful platform where the Government of Rwanda and the international community address important human rights issues jointly with the aim of ensuring that Rwanda continues to fulfill its obligations under international human rights conventions. The UN is supporting the inclusive participation in governance through partnerships with important national institutions such as the National Commission on Human Rights, the Rwanda Governance Board, the National Women’s Council, the National Forum for Political Parties, the National Electoral Commission, the National Unity and Reconciliation Commission, the National Commission for Children, the Rwanda Media Commission and the Parliament of Rwanda. We are also making efforts to ensure the improvement of access to justice in Rwanda as there can be no human rights without a true Justice to protect them. Over the past three years we have also provided training to the judiciary on the subject of the application of international human rights law in Rwandan courts. The collaboration between the UN and the Government of Rwanda has enabled the country to make strides in ensuring that the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as the two key covenants, are advanced. A few years ago, Rwanda caught up on its backlog in terms of reporting to Treaty bodies established under different human rights conventions, set up an inter-ministerial taskforce in charge of those processes, and launched an overhaul of its domestic legal system. That way, Rwanda has become today an important stakeholder of international human rights law. Despite the remarkable achievements of Rwanda in this domain, we are also cognizant of the fact that concerns continue to be raised by some observers regarding some areas where improvements are needed in the domain of human rights. Our approach is to work closely with the Government and all the stakeholders to identify areas where there are gaps, and to put in place concrete programmes for addressing them effectively. We will continue to support the Government of Rwanda in its efforts to ensure the enjoyment of rights by all. We are conscious of the fact that the rights enshrined in the Declaration and in the two covenants cannot be enjoyed unless there is full participation of all sectors of the population of Rwanda in the affairs of their own country, at all levels of governance and at the community development level. It is for this reason that we are satisfied that Rwanda has made commendable progress in this connection. But we must continue reinforcing the gains and address the deficit areas. That is why the theme of today’s commemoration is relevant and apt. And that is why the slogan “our rights, our freedoms, always” must be amplified by all, at all times, everywhere. I wish all Rwandans the best as we commemorate Human Rights Day, and look forward to continuing to work with the Government and its institutions as well as all the other stakeholders in order to ensure that these rights and freedoms continue to be enjoyed by everyone in this beautiful country, and always. The writer is the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Rwanda
