Rwanda to host the biennial meeting of the Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions

Delegates from National Human Rights Institutions from Commonwealth member states will convene in Kigali, Rwanda, for a biennial meeting on 16 and 17 June 2022 under the theme “Human Rights for All at the Heart of Recovery Efforts During and After COVID-19.” 

The two-day conference will focus on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on socio-economic, civil and political rights and on the role of National Human Rights Institutions can play in promoting and protecting their citizens’ rights during the post-pandemic recovery process. 

“This meeting will provide a united voice on human rights priorities and ensure that member states and other stakeholders learn from each other’s insights, experiences, and expertise”, observed Marie Claire Mukasine, the Chairperson of Rwanda National Commission for Human Rights. 

Organised by the National Commission for Human Rights of Rwanda in collaboration with the British Equality and Human Rights Commission, the meeting will bring together National Human Rights institutions from 26 member countries.

 The United Kingdom has been the forum’s chair since 2018. During this conference, the chairship will be passed over to Rwanda National Commission for Human Rights for a term that will run until their next Biennial meeting. 

As the incoming Chair of the Forum, the Rwanda National Commission for Human Rights intends to further the forum’s commitments to promoting, protecting, and advancing human rights within the processes of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM). (End)