Addressing the UPR on Wednesday, January 21, Rwanda's Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, emphasised that the government continues to prioritise the rights and livelihoods of its citizens through legal, institutional, and social reforms.
'Rwanda approaches the UPR with a spirit of openness and constructive dialogue,' Dr. Ugirashebuja said. 'This platform allows us to present measurable outcomes and to continue improving the lives of all Rwandans.'
The delegation reported notable achievements in access to justice, including the resolution of over 38,000 cases through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms such as mediation and plea bargaining between 2022 and 2026. Rwanda also inaugurated an alternative dispute resolution center in Kigali in 2024, which has mediated almost 200 cases and facilitated the resolution of 564 others, with plans to expand similar centers to other provinces.
Reforms aimed at rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders were highlighted, with 9,387 inmates released on parole and 434 receiving presidential pardons between 2021 and 2024. These initiatives have contributed to Rwanda being ranked first in Africa on the World Justice Project Rule of Law Index in both 2024 and 2025, and 39th globally.
On social protection, the delegation presented strong gains in poverty reduction and financial inclusion. The national poverty rate fell from 39.8 percent in 2017 to 27.4 percent in 2024, lifting approximately 1.5 million people out of poverty, while extreme poverty declined from 11.3 percent to 5.4 percent.
Through the Vision Umurenge Program, over 1.2 million vulnerable citizens, including older people, persons with disabilities, and pregnant or lactating women, receive monthly cash transfers, helping to protect households from extreme poverty and income insecurity.
Rwanda has also strengthened its social registry, Imibereho, which now registers over 3.5 million households, enabling more precise targeting of social protection programs. At the community level, 14,719 parasocial workers coach households, connect beneficiaries to services, and promote sustainable livelihoods.
Dr. Ugirashebuja further highlighted Rwanda's commitment to gender equality and the rights of children, reporting continued progress in women's representation across government and the private sector, as well as a decline in child labour from 4 percent in 2016â€"2017 to around 3 percent today.
'Rwanda continues to face challenges, including climate-related impacts and residual socio-economic vulnerabilities,' Dr. Ugirashebuja said. 'However, the government reaffirms its commitment to sustained reforms, prevention strategies, and partnerships to further improve the rights and livelihoods of all Rwandans.'
Rwanda's delegation also highlighted progress in education and health. Gross enrollment for children aged 3 to 17 rose from 79.6 percent in 2022â€"2023 to 92.1 percent in 2023â€"2024, and net enrollment increased from 53 percent to nearly 60 percent.
In health, under-5 mortality declined from 45 per 1,000 live births in 2020 to 36 in 2025, while maternal care coverage remains high, with 95 percent of women receiving at least one antenatal visit and 98 percent of deliveries attended by skilled health personnel.
The Rwandan delegation also noted improvements in civil liberties, media freedom, and access to information, as well as ongoing reforms to enhance transparency, accountability, and citizen engagement.
The UPR, a peer review mechanism established by the United Nations, provides a platform for countries to report on progress in human rights and socio-economic development. Rwanda's fourth UPR report underscores the country's people-centered approach to human rights, demonstrating measurable progress in justice, social protection, and inclusive development since the previous review in 2021.
Besides the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, the Rwandan delegation included Rwanda's Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Urujeni Bakuramutsa, as well as officials from the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), the Rwanda Governance Board (RGB), and the Ministry of Local Government.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
