This stakeholder report focuses on key issues relating to human rights in the digital context in Rwanda, including digital connectivity and inclusion, freedom of speech and expression online, online surveillance, transnational repression and right to privacy and technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV). This report draws on a desk review and on inputs received during a stakeholder consultation on digital rights in Rwanda. Another report by the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) provides additional input on freedom of expression, information and content censorship, digital inclusion and privacy.
This review marks the fourth cycle for Rwanda in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism. During the third cycle, Rwanda demonstrated the importance it places on issues relating to freedom of speech and expression and freedom of the press, receiving 32 recommendations related to these issues, including 24 relating to free speech and expression (with a focus on the need to revise legislative provisions that unduly restrict free speech) and 17 recommendations relating to the protection of jour- nalists and human rights defenders from attacks and intimidation.
Read the full joint stakeholder report here.