Rwanda’s UPR report endorsed by UN | New times

The United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted a report on Rwanda’s third Universal Periodic Review (UPR), the justice ministry said on Friday (July 9th).
Rwanda was reviewed in January this year, where it received a total of 284 recommendations on improving its human rights situation.
The report on the third assessment of Rwanda’s UPR was presented on Thursday, July 8 by Ambassador Marie Chantal Rwakazina, the country’s permanent representative to the United Nations Office at Geneva.
“The Rwandan government has thoroughly reviewed all 284 recommendations made during the January UPR review. The government supported and accepted a total of 160 recommendations, ”Rwakazina said when adopting the report on Thursday.
The Universal Periodic Review is a mechanism of the Human Rights Council based in Geneva, which assesses the human rights situation in the 193 member states of the United Nations every four to five years.
Rwanda has been reviewed three times since 2011.
Of the 284 recommendations received in January, 160 (or 56%) were accepted. There is a 34% increase from the previous review.
In 2015, Rwanda had supported 22% of the recommendations received, Rwakazina said.
She added: “The government of Rwanda is proud of this high acceptance rate.
Out of all 284 recommendations, 75 were noted and, according to the Rwandan representative, they will be implemented as they are already part of government programs.
Rwakazina said the remaining 49 recommendations that were not supported were found to be “either unrealistic, not reflecting the reality on the ground, repeating allegations that are baseless, irrelevant or based on misinformation.”
The UPR review was established in 2006 by the United Nations General Assembly. It takes place every four to five years.
Rwakazina praised the role played by different stakeholders, including the OneUN office in Rwanda, development partners and the National Human Rights Commission.
While emphasizing Rwanda’s commitment to the UPR, Ambassador Rwakazina said the country welcomes “constructive engagement” with any stakeholder.
“The Rwandan government wishes to reiterate its commitment to open and constructive engagement with any interested party acting in good faith to discuss any issue that would contribute to the advancement of human rights in our country,” Rwakazina said.
The fourth cycle begins
The adoption of the report officially marks the start of the fourth cycle of the UPR process, which will end within the next four years. During this period, Rwanda will work to implement the accepted recommendations.
“As we enter the new round, we look forward to continuing to work with all of you and look forward to your great contribution to the implementation of the recommendations that Rwanda has committed to in the next round”, said Rwakazina, concluding that Rwanda will continue to support the UPR mechanism.