Rwanda celebrated the 74^th anniversary of the International Human Rights Day on December 10, 2022, in Gisagara District, Southern Province. The theme of the celebration was “Dignity, Freedom, Justice for All”. It was marked by various activities to raise people’s awareness of human rights and more specifically on sports and human rights. The event was marked by a cycling competition on the road Huye-Gisagara-Nyaruguru, and a Volleyball Match to raise people’s awareness and youth on sport and human rights in particular and encourage duty-bearers on their duty to respect, protect, fulfil and promote human rights.

The cycling competition and volleyball match were organized in collaboration with MINISPORTS, Rwanda Cycling Federation (FERWACY), Rwanda Volleyball Federation (FRVB), Huye District, Gisagara District, and other different partners of the Commission and awarding winners of the competition was part of the event. This cycling race competition engaged 14 professional teams from FERWACY and was organized with the special message of promoting the respect of human rights in general and child rights, women’s rights, people living with HIV/AIDS and persons with disability, the race promotional material promoted messages from the National Commission for Human Rights partners as well. It was an occasion to raise awareness on the importance of sport to achieving the highest attainable standard of health of all persons, including both physical and mental health and every individual should be facilitated to practice sport without any discrimination.

The celebration of the International Human Rights Day was an opportunity for the National Commission for Human Rights and its stakeholders to introspect and look forward to their actions and duties to ensure their role in promotion and protection of human rights. All the messages delivered turned around the reaffirmation of the commitment to the fight against inequality & injustice as well as uphold the collective faith on the principle of ‘Leaving No One Behind’.

The celebration was attended by Senior Government Officials, the One UN Resident Coordinator and different UN agencies country Representatives in Rwanda, the Senior Human Rights Advisor, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Representatives of Civil Society Organizations working in the human rights field, local authorities, representatives of security organs, representatives of sports federations, journalists and the local population.