Kigali, October 1, 2025 – In line with its constitutional mandate to promote and protect human rights, the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), in partnership with Initiatives for Peace and Human Rights (iPeace), convened a high-level Stakeholders’ Roundtable in Kigali to explore pathways for adopting domestic legislation on Mandatory Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (mHREDD).

The roundtable, supported by the African Coalition for Corporate Accountability (ACCA), brought together representatives from government institutions, civil society, the private sector, and development partners. Discussions focused on identifying Rwanda’s strengths, gaps, and opportunities in aligning its legal and institutional frameworks with international human rights and environmental standards.

Speaking at the opening, NCHR Chairperson, Hon. Madam Providence UMURUNGI, emphasized that the dialogue marks a critical step in advancing Rwanda’s ongoing process to develop a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (2025–2028). “This is an important milestone for Rwanda to ensure that businesses operate responsibly while safeguarding human rights and the environment,” she noted.

The meeting also featured regional experts who shared their insights with participants. Stakeholders engaged in discussions to assess Rwanda’s current situation, existing challenges, and the country’s legal framework.

By the end of the discussions, participants agreed on the need to strengthen partnerships, build a shared knowledge base, and outline practical steps towards developing Rwanda’s own mHREDD framework. The roundtable concluded with commitments to maintain momentum through collaboration and follow-up actions that will guide the drafting process.

This initiative underscores Rwanda’s leadership in promoting corporate accountability and advancing the business and human rights agenda on both the regional and international stage.