By Seif Shaggy Gracien Hasingizwimana/Kigali/Rwanda,
The Ministry of Justice states that the recommendations Rwanda received during the Universal Periodic Review (UPR)—a regular assessment of human rights compliance—represent a significant opportunity to work harder, as they touch upon all sectors of national life. During a training session for journalists aimed at better understanding this review process, it was revealed that out of the 286 recommendations given to Rwanda, 40 specifically pertain to the media. The UPR process emphasized the media’s role as a vital sector in promoting freedom of expression and access to information.
Albert Boduwe Twizeyimana, the coordinator of Pax Press (an association of journalists for peace), notes that this peer review of human rights plays a crucial role in upholding these principles, with the media being no exception.
He stated, “I would say that this peer review has played a major role in promoting human rights globally, and particularly in our country, Rwanda. Since 2011, when Rwanda began receiving these recommendations, it has consistently implemented them, leading to progress in respecting human rights.” Albert further noted that the 2013 media policy led to broader media freedom and expanded space for expression, emphasizing that the UPR generally raises the standard of human rights observance.
Assuma Nyiraneza, a resident of Rwamagana District says that these decisions came as a solution for them as citizens because they have been beneficial.
She said: “Today, we thank the Government of Rwanda because you can now find a chapter concerning the elderly in the Rwandan law books; this shows us that they have given value to us, the elderly.”
Nyakongeza Faruku, known as Faruku Digno, an artist famous for various songs including Ikigabo cy’igisambo cyabariraga inyama kumugozi, Kutiga biragatsindwa, Utazi gukora agenzwa no kugabuza, and Irinde kuba ikibazo kubantu, says that the strategies to support the elderly are among the things that make them feel supported by the country, thus making them feel that productivity is expected from them just like other citizens.
He said: “That policy is very useful to us because it is among the things that make us feel that someone is behind us, and we also feel that we are still useful to the country.”
Emmanuel Mugisha, the Executive Secretary of the Rwanda Media Commission (RMC), emphasizes that the UPR has contributed to the growth of the media and the establishment of frameworks that advance the sector.
He stated, “The first UPR cycle gave rise to certain ideas we see today that informed the media sector, such as the policy on access to information and other concepts regarding the promotion of media freedom. While many have been revised, they informed many of the changes we have witnessed.” Emmanuel Mugisha added, “There has even been support provided to the media, whether from government partners or through the national budget; several initiatives have been funded through these channels.”
William Ndengeyinka, a state representative from the Ministry of Justice, explains that these recommendations cover all aspects of national life and contribute to the advancement of human rights.
He stated, “The UPR is a mechanism established by the United Nations in 2006, designed to give all countries an opportunity to review how they implement human rights.”
He added that the recommendations they receive span all sectors of the country, and that throughout the UPR journey, the government and all other stakeholders learn daily and strive to ensure that human rights are increasingly protected and promoted.
Overall, the recommendations given to Rwanda indicate that there is still an opportunity to further refine this sector, specifically by further protecting media freedom and easing access to information. This review covers all categories of the population, including people with disabilities, the elderly, children, women, as well as refugees and migrants, reflecting actions the country takes through government planning. In the January 2026 review, Rwanda received 286 recommendations, of which 12% concern the media. It is expected that by July of this year, Rwanda will have indicated which recommendations it has committed to implementing.
