The Chairperson of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) has urged local leaders to fight against all forms of inequality in service delivery and respect the rights of the people they lead. Marie Claire Mukasine made the call on November 30 as she opened Human Right Week. This comes ahead of the 73rd commemoration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10. It will be marked under the theme ‘‘Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights”. According to Mukasine, among the activities panned include raising awareness on human rights principles and inclusiveness among members of the provincial security committees and the youth among others “We are expecting to increase the understanding of human rights principles and inclusiveness; mobilising local leaders on their role in human rights promotion and protection as well as mobilising university lecturers and students on their role in human rights promotion, among others,” she said Mukasine added that Rwanda has made a remarkable step in promoting and protecting human rights. However, there are some areas where more efforts are needed, She also urged Rwandans to play their role in the protection and promotion of human rights, and fulfil their responsibilities. Emmanuel Ndayisaba, Executive Secretary of the National Council of People with Disabilities (NCPD), said this week and day mean a lot to the people with disabilities. It offers an opportunity to inform the public about the rights of those with disabilities, particularly in the education and health sectors as well as job market. “We have come a long way and we are grateful for that step so far but in education, there is a gap on materials for us and in health, there are some facilities mutuelle de santé doesn’t cover while most of us use them. Another challenging thing for people with disabilities is finding jobs because the employers do not believe in them,” he said. The declaration of celebrating Human Rights Day was adopted and proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in its resolution 217 A (III) on December 10, 1948, after World War II that had claimed lives of more than 60 million people and caused other huge damages. The Assembly made the declaration to underscore the unparalleled value of a human being, and that the human rights respect principle is the basis for peace and development in the world.
