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Summary: States Parties to the African Charter on Human and People's Rights must submit reports about their progress in implementing the Charter to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights every two years. The reports are considered by the Commission in public sessions, following which it issues recommendations to the reporting State which are called ‘Concluding Observations’.
These are the child rights provisions in Rwanda’s constitution, as outlined in their eighth periodic report to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights. The National Youth Council, provided for by the Constitution in article 187, is a forum for the exchange of ideas among young people. Its main activities are: Human Rights Instruments ratified by Rwanda in relation to the rights of the child Right to Liberty and Security The right to protection of the family and vulnerable groups (Article 18 of the Charter) The right to enjoy the best state of health (Article 16 of the charter) Right to Education Further information
- Civic education and training in Rwandan culture, sports and leisure;
- Youth development activities;
- Supporting youth associations;
- Preparing young people for participation in decision-making processes;
- Advocating for young people before decision-making organs;
- Teaching science, technology and job-seeking skills;
- Collaborating with other organisations who promote young people;
- Sensitizing activities on HIV/AIDS and other pandemics;
- Fostering relations between young people in Rwanda and other countries;
- Convention on marriage - the age of consent for marriage ratified by O.G. n° 159/01 of 31st December 2002 (O.G.n°12 of 15 June 2003);
- Additional Protocol to the Convention of the United Nations against organized cross-border criminality aimed at preventing and punishing the trade of persons, especially women and children, ratified on 31st December 2002(P.O. n°163/01 of 31st December 2002; O.G. n°12 of 15 June 2003);
The communiqué of 01/01/2003 of the President’s Office of the Republic provided the conditional release of persons who were minors when the genocide was committed.
Article 27 of the Rwandan Constitution stipulates, “The family, which is the foundation of Rwandan society, is protected by the State”.
Protection of children
Article 28 of the Constitution stipulates “every child is entitled to special measures of protection by his or her family, society and the State as necessary, depending on the status of the child, under national and international law.” In Rwanda, minors are more protected against all kinds of violence, especially sexual and domestic violence (see law n° 27/2001 of 28/04/01). Article 4 of the new organic law nº 29/2004 on the Nationality code (O.G nº1 of 01/01/2005) automatically grants Rwandan nationality to children who have at least one Rwandan parent.
Article 11 of the same law stipulates that “a child of foreign nationality or stateless child, who is a non-emancipated minor, recognized or adopted by a Rwandan, automatically acquires Rwandan nationality.” A child should be placed on the civil register upon his or her birth. This guarantees the child’s inheritance rights.
Specialized chambers for minors have been created within provincial courts, as well as special procedures for prosecutions against minors. To improve the welfare and development of minors, especially orphans and vulnerable minors, the Government has approved the National Child Program (PNE) aimed at the reintegration of minors. This shows Rwanda’s commitment to set up a plan of action for children. An integrated and coordinated approach of action is required. The coordination of policies has led to a reduced number of centres for orphans and vulnerable children and therefore a reduction in the number of children living in these centres.
Persons living with HIV/AIDS are organized into associations, to improve both their health and living conditions. Their activities include:
- An adolescent and youth reproductive health centre project;
- the Youth Anti-AIDS Forum facilities, operational in all districts of the country;
- Anti-AIDS Clubs active in schools and other youth organizations;
- Information, education and communication programs on AIDS within schools (IEC/ Sida Ecole) integrated into the school curriculum.
Article 40 of the Constitution stipulates “Every person has the right to education”.
Primary education is compulsory. It is free in public schools.
In primary schools, the number of registered pupils in 2003-2004 increased by 7.1% in relation to previous years. The number of secondary schools increased from 405 to 504. Secondary education increased by 13.3%. The ratio of girls to boys is 97,011 to 106,540.
pdf: http://www.achpr.org/english/state_reports/Rwanda%20Report_2007_eng.pdf