Human Rights First Rwanda Association (a.k.a Rights Rwanda)

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Human Rights First Rwanda Association (a.k.a Rights Rwanda) HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST RWANDA ASSOCIATION (b) To empower individuals and groups to campaign for their own rights and the human rights of others.

INTRODUCTION

Human Rights First Rwanda Association is registered in accordance with laws governing non-profit making organizations in Rwanda under law no 20/2000 of 26/7/2000, MINISTERIAL ORDER No 91/11/ of 15th June 2009. It is non partisan association and has an open membership composed of a group of human rights lawyers, University Professors, teachers and members of the community who form the general assembly. The general assembly convenes twice a year
Its main objectives are

(a) To promote human rights education and provide legal assistance to poor and vulnerable groups in the Rwandan community at Large. Vision

Human Rights First Rwanda Association envisages a just and equitable society. BACKGROUND AND ACTIVITIES

since its inception in late 2005 it has carried out a number of activities thus including organizing a workshop on the need of a legal aid forum in Rwanda in partnership with the Leading women’s rights activist group Haguruka, Danish Institute of Human Rights and other Civil society organizations. This lead to the formation of the Rwanda Legal Aid Forum which comprises of 36 organizations both local and international intervening in Justice and Human Rights in Rwanda. Through its initiatives of regional networking the organization is among the founding members of the East African Civil Society Forum (EACSOF) and a current member of the Governing council. The forum brings together over 100 Non Governmental organizations from Kenya, Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda. Through EACSOF it has been part of the wider campaign of denouncing illegitimate governments that take power through undemocratic means an example is the case of Zimbabwe and the Kenyan election crisis where we issued communiqués and press releases. Through its advocacy campaigns it is involved in the campaign to allow civil society lawyers to represent their clients in courts of laws in Rwanda. The organization spears headed the drafting of a position paper and an announcement to members of parliament from 20 civil society organizations highlighting the needs and plight of indigent, poor and vulnerable groups who have no means and have been denied access to justice. Human Rights First is partnering with the International Commission of Jurist-kenyan section on the program of Eastern Africa International Criminal Justice Initiative to advocate against the culture of impunity in the Region

The organization has been involved in a number of civic education programs; it has trained communities on electoral laws and constitutional protected rights of individuals in the electoral process during the parliamentary elections. It provides legal aid and human rights education programs through community clinical legal aid project that assist poor, indigent and vulnerable persons more especially women in rural districts. The clinic has an outreach to schools, prisons and community at large using university law students . The organization has been conducting debating programs in Schools so as to awaken young citizens to be more proactive in analyzing and discussing issues that affect its society openly. It has trained over 23 organizations of mainly women who are HIV positive as a result of sexual violence during the genocide on various laws that protect them and Human rights issues in partnership with Women to Access to Care and Treatment (WE Act). As a result it assisted in the formation of the first network of people living with HIV/AIDS that fights discrimination. Rwanda Community Law Anti-Discrimination Network/Dufatanye. The organization is among the lead organizations that advocated for the abolition of the death penalty. It partnered with AJPRODO a youth association to sensitize youth on gender based violence and it consequences. The organization commissioned a research on public interest litigation in partnership with the Legal Aid Forum Rwanda whose main aims were to assess ways and means of bringing PIL test cases. It was part of the taskforce that was charged with developing a standard paralegal manual for NGO paralegals in Rwanda. In partnership with the Ministry of Justice, Danish institute of Human Rights, and three other NGOS, the organization conducted a baseline survey on legal aid in Rwanda. The survey was aimed at identifying various gaps in access to Justice in the country and come up with various recommendations. HRFRA spearheaded the campaign to decriminalize LGBTS in the Draft Rwanda penal code. It was part of a taskforce that wrote a position paper that was presented to parliament that lead to the dropping of article 217 which had proposed that Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, Trans-gender and Intersexual groups be criminalised along with any initiative aimed at improving their situation. HRFRA also participated actively in making recommendations, position paper and advocacy on drafting of the New Rwandan penal code more especially on issues pertaining to tabling recommendations to the right of women to have a safe abortion.

Eleanor Mitchell-Heggs Currently on a 10,000km Bike Expedition across Africa Connecting with Impactful Organisations |...
22/05/2025

Eleanor Mitchell-Heggs
Currently on a 10,000km Bike Expedition across Africa Connecting with Impactful Organisations | Strengthening Impact & Sustainability for NGOs | Education, Gender & Youth Development Currently on a 10,000km Bike Expedition across Africa Connecting with Impactful Organisations | Strengthening Impact & Sustainability for NGOs | Education, Gender & Youth Development
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7327609714106658816/

In 2005, a local lawyer founded the Human Rights First Rwanda Association (www.rightsrwanda.com) an NGO with a clear mission: to ensure that even the most marginalised communities could access legal advice and support.

At the heart of their approach is a network of volunteer paralegals, trained to support cases involving gender-based violence, land rights, and women’s empowerment, often resolving disputes through mediation before they ever reach court.

I met some of these paralegals (pictured) and heard their stories firsthand. Several shared how they had helped reunite families over land and inheritance disputes, outcomes that formal legal channels rarely achieve with such sensitivity. Their work is reducing strain on the courts while restoring trust and dialogue at community level.

Their hashtag is measurable:
🟣 15,000 women have obtained land titles, enabling them to access loans and economic security
🟣 60 new paralegals are trained each year to sustain this vital work, creating a ripple effect of access to justice across communities.
🟣 15–20 students annually participate in legal outreach placements, gaining real-world experience that will shape the kind of legal leaders they become
🟣 A pro bono programme involves both seasoned legal professionals and university students, blending expertise with fresh perspective.

The organisation also helped form Rwanda’s Legal Aid Forum, a collaborative network of 38 organisations sharing context-specific solutions and coordinating referrals for more complex cases.

Beyond Rwanda’s borders, the association has:
🟣 Trained journalists from across East and Central Africa (Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, DRC) on ethical reporting related to marginalised groups
🟣 Advocated successfully against the inclusion of anti-LGBTQ provisions in the 2009 penal code
🟣 Supported HIV-positive women to overcome stigma and step into community leadership roles

Despite this broad and deep impact, the organisation continues to operate with limited funding. I would urge anyone who values access to justice to support their work either through corporate support or via their GlobalGiving UK page, a secure and trusted way to give directly: https://lnkd.in/ePMde-Dv

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HRFRA iributsa kudaheza abakundana bahuje igitsina cyane muri serivisi z’ubuzima- Mu gihe u Rwanda n’isi yose bizihiza U...
18/05/2025

HRFRA iributsa kudaheza abakundana bahuje igitsina cyane muri serivisi z’ubuzima- Mu gihe u Rwanda n’isi yose bizihiza Umunsi Mpuzamahanga wahariwe Kurwanya Ivangura rishingiye ku Myitwarire y’Imibonano mpuzabitsina (IDAHOBIT), Umuryango Human Rights First Rwanda Association (HRFRA), urasaba ko hajyaho amategeko arengera abakundana bahuje ibitsina n’abandi bantu bakunze kwibagirana mu itangwa rya serivisi z’ubuzima.

www.integonews.com, is an online media focus more on justice and Human Rights, investigation stories are our uniqueness. since 2006 as a newspaper (ikinyamakuru intego)

As Rwanda joins the world in commemorating the International Day HRFRA Urges Inclusive Health Protections for LGBTQ+ Rwa...
18/05/2025

As Rwanda joins the world in commemorating the International Day HRFRA Urges Inclusive Health Protections for LGBTQ+ Rwandans on IDAHOBIT 2025-As Rwanda joins the world in commemorating the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), Human Rights First Rwanda Association (HRFRA) is calling for stronger legal protections and inclusive healthcare services for LGBTQ+ Rwandans particularly those facing daily discrimination in silence.

www.integonews.com, is an online media focus more on justice and Human Rights, investigation stories are our uniqueness. since 2006 as a newspaper (ikinyamakuru intego)

Kigali, 17 May 2025 — As the world marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT),...
17/05/2025

Kigali, 17 May 2025 — As the world marks the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT), Human Rights First Rwanda Association (HRFRA) joins global voices in celebrating this year’s theme: “The Power of Communities.” It is a powerful reminder that change is possible when people come together in solidarity to challenge systemic injustice and uphold the rights of all — especially those who are excluded, criminalized, and forgotten.
https://rwandainspirer.com/hrfra-marks-idahobit-2025-by-championing-lgbtq-rights-and-inclusive-healthcare-in-rwanda/

Happy International Women’s Day 2025 – Elevating Every Woman and Girl!🚀 Rights. Equality. Empowerment. 🚀To all women dre...
08/03/2025

Happy International Women’s Day 2025 – Elevating Every Woman and Girl!

🚀 Rights. Equality. Empowerment. 🚀

To all women dreaming big and breaking barriers, your actions inspire a future where gender equality is not just a goal, but a reality. Today, we honor your commitment to empowering all women and girls.

Engage with us as we work towards securing rights and equal status for women globally. Our collective efforts will empower societies worldwide.

👩‍🎓 Cheers to the trailblazers working tirelessly for a better tomorrow!

03/12/2024

Human Rights First Rwanda Association’s Commitment to Disability Rights

Today, we proudly join the global disability rights movement in celebrating the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD). This day is a powerful reminder of the collective responsibility we share in advocating for and upholding the rights of persons with disabilities. The 2024 theme, “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future,” aligns closely with our unwavering commitment to advancing disability rights in Rwanda and beyond.

As the world marks World AIDS Day, the Human Rights First Rwanda Association (HRFRA), in partnership with Frontline AIDS...
01/12/2024

As the world marks World AIDS Day, the Human Rights First Rwanda Association (HRFRA), in partnership with Frontline AIDS, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting LGBTQ+ refugees living with HIV/AIDS in Rwanda. These individuals face a unique set of intersecting challenges, including discrimination, stigmatization, and restricted access to essential healthcare and justice, which compound their vulnerabilities.

LGBTQ+ refugees arrive in Rwanda fleeing violence and persecution in their home countries, but their challenges often persist.
https://rwandainspirer.com/rwanda-human-rights-group-marks-world-aids-day-by-supporting-lgbtq-refugees-with-hiv-aids/

“UNITE to End Violence against Women.” HRFRA joins the rest of the world in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based...
01/12/2024

“UNITE to End Violence against Women.”
HRFRA joins the rest of the world in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence with the theme Take action campaign.

Embracing Diversity: "Celebrating Pride Month and Addressing Challenges,” HRFRA organized a workshop where participants ...
24/06/2024

Embracing Diversity: "Celebrating Pride Month and Addressing Challenges,” HRFRA organized a workshop where participants highlighted the lack of awareness about the existence of sexual minority people and the absence of high-level government decision-makers at meetings of sexual minority organizations as major challenges.
This Month reminds us that justice and equality are the cornerstones of our society. HRFRA is proud to stand with the LGBTQ+ community in the fight for rights and recognition in Rwandan society and in the Great Lakes region."

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