During the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), held from 11 May to 20 May 2026, ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa actively engaged with continental oversight mechanisms to raise concerns regarding the severe contraction of civic space and the suppression of dissenting voices in the Republic of Rwanda.
Delivering a dedicated statement to the African Commission on the human rights situation in Africa, ARTICLE 19 underscored persistent, systemic gaps between Rwanda’s treaty ratifications under the African Charter and actual domestic enforcement, highlighting how critical commentary on public governance remains highly criminalised in the country.
ARTICLE 19’s intervention focused heavily on three core thematic focus areas:
- Systemic censorship and self-censorship: Statutory restrictions and a rigid regulatory environment continue to choke media freedom, forcing local independent journalists into exile or silencing them through pervasive self-censorship.
- Weaponisation of legal frameworks: Authorities continue to misuse national security parameters, cyber-surveillance, and anti-defamation laws to arbitrarily arrest, intimidate, and detain independent commentators, online content creators, and opposition figures.
- Cross-border tensions and digital surveillance: Heightened geopolitical friction and regional conflicts have resulted in expanded internal surveillance and restrictions on freedom of expression, justified under the guise of public safety.
‘A robust democracy cannot exist without the total protection of freedom of expression and the press,’ stated ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa. ‘The African Commission must hold state parties accountable to their clear obligations under regional human rights instruments.’
ARTICLE 19 formally calls upon the African Commission to issue strong concluding observations requesting the Government of Rwanda to execute the following urgent measures:
- Immediately and unconditionally release all individuals, journalists, and bloggers currently detained solely for exercising their right to free expression.
- Overhaul restrictive cybercrime, national security, and defamation statutes to align them fully with international and regional human rights standards.
- Foster an enabling environment for civil society organisations, human rights defenders, and independent media to operate without fear of judicial harassment or physical reprisal.
ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa is an international human rights organisation that works globally to defend and promote the freedom of expression and the right to information. ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa monitors civic space and digital rights, working to build solidarity networks across the region to challenge impunity and protect media freedoms.
For media inquiries, interviews, or more information, please contact:
ARTICLE 19 Eastern Africa Deputy Regional Director [email protected]