Three commissioners in the National Human Rights Commission were on Thursday sworn in at the Supreme Court. The commissioners are Aurélie Gahongayire, a former Member of Parliament, Jean Marie Vianney Makombe, former Executive Secretary of the Eastern Province; and Marie Sylvie Kawera, who worked in the National Forum of Political Organisations. They were appointed by cabinet in April this year and will serve a four-year term renewable once. The vice president of the Supreme Court, Sylvie Zainab Kayitesi, who presided over the swearing-in ceremony, urged the commissioners to espouse sacrifice, courage and diligence in their work to maintain human rights progress in the country. “A lot has been achieved in human rights but a lot still needs to be done. Human rights and development are inseparable. Work hard and never let the progress made falter,” she said The new commissioners pledged to deliver their best to deter human rights violations in the country. “I have worked in local government and human rights organisations where I acquired a lot of experience in human rights. This experience will help me sustain what has been done and help make improvements,” said Makombe. Gahongayire said she will focus on matters related to property rights, gender-based violence, judgments execution and other issues that have to do with the wellbeing of Rwandans. The new commissioners replaced Laurent Nkongoli, Pierre Karemera, and Etienne Niyonzima, who ended their terms. The National Human Rights was established in 1999. editorial@newtimes.co.rw
