Rwanda: first official visit by UN expert on freedoms of peaceful assembly and association

GENEVA, Switzerland, January 16, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- United Nations Special Rapporteur Maina Kiai will visit Rwanda from 20 to 27 January 2014 to assess in depth to what extent the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association are enjoyed in the country.

Mr. Kiai's visit will be the first information-gathering mission to Rwanda by an independent expert mandated by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor and promote the realization of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association worldwide.

“The rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association are essential components of democracy, and States are called upon by the Council to respect and fully protect the rights of all individuals to assemble peacefully and associate freely,” the independent expert said.

“Government cooperation is absolutely essential to the effectiveness of my mandate and every other Human Rights Council's mandate,” the Special Rapporteur noted.

Mr. Kiai is scheduled to travel to Kigali and Huye. During his eight-day visit, he will meet with State officials, members of the judiciary and of Parliament, as well as representatives of the national human rights commission, the civil society, and the diplomatic community.

The Special Rapporteur will share his preliminary findings and recommendations at a press conference on Monday 27 January from 12.30 pm at the Golden Hills Hotel (Av. Ntaruka, No 6, Kiyovu, Kigali 1992). For further information, please contact Clarisse Uwambayikirezi from the United Nations in Rwanda: +250 (0) 788534590 / [email protected]

The expert will present a final report of his visit during the 26th Human Rights Council's session in June 2014.