Rwanda

Rwanda

Right	Section	Contents
Freedom of Association	History	Rwanda provides for freedom of association in its 1962 constitution, promulgated shortly after independence. Under Article 19, “all citizens have the right to freely form associations or societies, subject to… the formalities [laid down by] laws and regulations.” Nouvelles Constitutions Africaines. “Constitution de la Republique Rwandaise.” World Constitutions Illustrated, July 24, 2023, https://heinonline-org.ccl.idm.oclc.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.cow/noucoaf0001&collection=cow&index=alpha/N_cowbooks&id=15.
Freedom of Expression	History	Freedom of expression is first mentioned in Article 18 of Rwanda’s first constitution, which entered into law in 1962. However, the document does place limits on the right in accordance with other laws, public security, and the honor of others. A more explicit and internationally aligned assertion came with the post-genocide Constitution of 2003. Article 37 of the Rwandan Constitution of 2003 states: "Freedom of thought, conscience, religion, worship and public manifestation thereof is guaranteed by the State in accordance with the law." References: “Constitution de la République Rwandaise.” Library of Congress. Accessed July 10, 2023. https://www.loc.gov/item/2008700213/#:~:text=Summary,from%20the%20neighboring%20Belgian%20Congo. "Rwanda 2003 (rev. 2015) Constitution," Constitute Project, accessed June 11, 2024, https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Rwanda_2015.
Freedom of Religion	History	Rwanda’s first constitution was drafted and enacted in 1961. Within the Constitution of the Rwandan Republic, Chapter III, Article 12 asserts that the “fundamental liberties as stipulated in the Declaration of the Rights of Man shall be guaranteed to all citizens save the exceptions to be regulated by law.” The Declaration of the Rights of Man (and the Citizen) was a document drafted by France’s National Constituent Assembly in 1789 during the French Revolution. The 2003 Constitution of Rwanda was ratified on May 26, 2003. Articles 16, 37, 57, and 136 grant religious freedom, equality, and prohibit religious discrimination. Article 4 declares Rwanda a secular state. Source: J. Webster [1964] - French and English https://heinonline-org.turing.library.northwestern.edu/HOL/cowdocs?state=&tfile=cowresd0576-3.pdf Constitution Project. “Rwanda 2003 (Rev. 2015) Constitution.” Constitute. POGO, April 27, 2022. Last modified April 27, 2022. Accessed June 27, 2022. https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Rwanda_2015?lang=en.
Freedom of the Press	History	Article 21 of Rwanda’s 1962 Constitution originally protected press freedom: “The secrecy of correspondence, postal and telegraphic communications is inviolable” (World Digital Library, “Constitution de la République Rwandaise”). [Translated from French] Today, Article 38 of Rwanda’s 2003 Constitution protects press freedom: “Freedom of press, of expression and of access to information are recognised and guaranteed by the State" (Constitute Project, “ Rwanda’s Constitution of 2003 with Amendments through 2015” ).
Privacy Rights	History	The right to privacy in Rwanda is protected by Articles 23 and 34. Article 23 states “The privacy of a person, his or her family, home or correspondence shall not be subjected to interference in a manner inconsistent with the law; the person's honour and dignity shall be respected. A person's home is inviolable. No search or entry into a home shall be carried out without the consent of the owner, except in circumstances and in accordance with procedures determined by the law.” Article 34 states “Private property, whether owned individually or collectively, is inviolable” (Constitute Project, "Rwanda 2003 rev. 2015" ). https://constituteproject.org/constitution/Rwanda_ 2015? lang=en
Voting Rights and Suffrage	History	Article 2 grants universal and equal suffrage to all Rwandan citizens via direct and indirect elections. The voting age in Rwanda is 18 years old. Article 75 states that the Chamber of Deputies is elected to office via direct universal suffrage. (Constitute Project, “ Rwanda’s Constitution of 2003 with Amendments through 2015” ).