Kigali, September 25, 2026 — The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) has monitored detention facilities in Rwanda’s Western and Southern provinces as part of its ongoing efforts to assess the respect and protection of the rights of people held in custody.

The five-day monitoring exercise, conducted from September 21 to 25, 2026, focused on assessing the conditions under which detainees are held and whether their rights are being respected in accordance with human rights standards.

During the monitoring exercise in Rubavu District, NCHR Chairperson Providence Umurungi visited Rubavu detention facility, where she encouraged detainees to know and claim their rights while reminding the facility’s authorities of their responsibility to respect and protect human rights.

She also encouraged the use of mediation in resolving disputes, where applicable, in line with the law.

Some detainees raised concerns about challenges they face while in custody. The issues raised provided an opportunity for the facility’s management to review the concerns, with some of them addressed immediately.

As part of its detention monitoring mandate, the Commission assesses various aspects of the treatment and conditions of detainees. These include their welfare, access to adequate lighting, hygiene and food, the legality of detention, protection against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, availability of detention documents, access to visits and other safeguards provided for by law.

The monitoring is conducted in accordance with Law No. 024/2026 of June 11, 2026, governing the National Commission for Human Rights. The law gives the Commission a specific mandate to regularly visit, whenever necessary, and with or without prior notice, places where people are detained for investigation or prosecution purposes.

The mandate is aimed at preventing torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading acts or punishment against people deprived of their liberty.

The Commission continues to encourage all actors involved in detention to uphold human rights standards and promote mediation wherever provided for by law.

NCHR also calls for collective efforts to protect and promote human rights, noting that respect for human rights is a foundation for sustainable development.