General update
In October 2024, the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) deferred Rwanda’s National Commission for Human Rights’ re-accreditation to the first session of 2026, citing its failure to recognise and publicly report serious human rights violations, including torture.
On 17th March 2025, Rwanda cut diplomatic ties with Belgium and ordered all Belgian diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours, prompting a swift response from Brussels. The Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation accused Belgium of consistently undermining Kigali during the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Tensions between the DRC and Rwanda have escalated in recent months, fuelled by the Rwanda-backed M23 insurgency’s advance in eastern DRC and a deepening humanitarian crisis.
Association
On 27th March 2025, the Rwanda Governance Board escalated its response to the diplomatic rift with Belgium by banning all international and national NGOs, faith-based organisations, and Common-Benefit Foundations registered in Rwanda from cooperating in any way with the Government of Belgium or its affiliated entities. The Board immediately halted all collaboration, partnerships, and engagements involving Belgian institutions, agencies, programmes, and other non-governmental cooperation actors. It directed all organisations to terminate and report any ongoing projects or agreements linked to these entities without delay. The directive also barred organisations from receiving or disbursing funds, grants, donations, or financial contributions from or to Belgian institutions, including budget support, project funding, technical assistance, and third-party payments. The Board warned that any attempts to bypass these restrictions, such as through subsidiaries or partner organisations, would trigger strict penalties. It further cautioned that non-compliance could lead to suspension of registration or revocation of legal status, alongside additional legal or administrative action, as permitted under Rwandan law.
Expression
On 9th October 2024, a Rwandan court sentenced YouTuber and government critic Rashid Hakuzimana to seven years in prison for allegedly denying the 1994 genocide, inciting ethnic division, and spreading false information. Hakuzimana was arrested in 2021 and denied the charges, claiming his detention followed his criticism of President Paul Kagame’s government in his YouTube videos. The judge claimed Hakuzimana’s remarks, such as suggesting genocide orphans were neglected compared to officials’ children, created division. He represented himself in court but refused to defend his actions. Having already served three years, he will spend four more in prison and pay a $700 fine.