Rwanda has supported 249 of the 286 recommendations made during its fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR), backing calls for stronger human rights protections while taking note of 37 others.
The recommendations were made during an interactive dialogue at the United Nations Human Rights Council on Jan. 21, 2026. Rwanda said it had examined all 286 recommendations before deciding its position on each.
Among the recommendations Rwanda supported are measures to improve conditions in prisons and other detention facilities, reduce overcrowding, expand access to health care and legal aid, and strengthen rehabilitation and vocational training for detainees and former prisoners.
Rwanda also supported recommendations calling for independent and effective investigations into allegations of torture, ill-treatment, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, as well as prosecution of those found responsible.
The government backed a wide range of recommendations on freedom of expression and the media, including measures to protect journalists and human rights defenders from harassment and attacks and to ensure they can work safely and independently.
It also supported recommendations to review the implementation of the 2024 law governing non-governmental organizations so that it does not unduly restrict civil society activities, while reducing administrative burdens and protecting the operational autonomy of NGOs.
On political participation, Rwanda supported recommendations to allow opposition parties to carry out their activities without intimidation or hindrance and to ensure democratic participation and inclusive, competitive electoral processes.
The recommendations also cover social and economic rights. Rwanda supported measures to expand social protection, reduce poverty and inequality, improve access to food, safe drinking water and sanitation, and strengthen access to health and education, particularly for vulnerable and rural communities.
In health, Rwanda supported recommendations to reduce maternal and child mortality, improve access to quality health services, strengthen the health workforce and expand community-based health insurance and other measures aimed at achieving more equitable access to care.
The government also supported recommendations aimed at improving education, including strengthening teacher training and infrastructure, reducing school overcrowding and dropout rates, and expanding inclusive education for girls, children with disabilities and those from disadvantaged communities.
Gender equality and protection from violence were another major area. Rwanda supported recommendations to strengthen measures against gender-based and domestic violence, improve support for survivors, promote women’s economic empowerment and strengthen access to justice for women and girls.
It also backed recommendations to strengthen protection against child labour, trafficking, sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as measures to improve the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities and older persons.
On the environment, Rwanda supported calls to strengthen climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, build resilience to climate-related shocks, protect biodiversity and strengthen enforcement against the illicit exploitation of natural resources.
However, Rwanda noted 37 recommendations rather than supporting them.
They include repeated calls for Rwanda to ratify the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court and the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.
Rwanda also noted recommendations concerning the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Labour Organization’s Domestic Workers Convention.
Other noted recommendations called for the decriminalization and legalization of abortion in all circumstances, the elimination of child marriage, and broader legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Rwanda also noted recommendations concerning legal gender recognition for transgender people and measures related to land titling and consultation for the Twa community.
The position paper does not give further explanations for why individual recommendations were placed in the “noted” category.
Overall, the government said 249 recommendations enjoy Rwanda’s support, while 37 are noted, following its examination of all recommendations submitted during the country’s fourth UPR.
