CAT/C/RWA/CO/2
United Nations
Convention against Torture
and Other Cruel, Inhuman
or Degrading Treatment
or Punishment
Distr.: General
21 December 2017
Original: English
Committee against Torture
Concluding observations on the second periodic report of
Rwanda*
1.
The Committee against Torture considered the second periodic report of Rwanda
(CAT/C/RWA/2) at its 1596th and 1599th meetings, held on 23 and 24 November 2017
(CAT/C/SR.1596 and 1599), and adopted the present concluding observations at its 1611th
meeting, held on 4 December 2017.
A.
Introduction
2.
The Committee welcomes the submission of the second periodic report of Rwanda
and the written replies to the list of issues (CAT/C/RWA/Q/2/Add.1).
3.
The Committee appreciates having had the opportunity to engage in a constructive
dialogue with the State party’s delegation and the responses provided orally and in written
form to the questions and concerns raised during the consideration of the report.
B.
Positive aspects
4.
The Committee notes with satisfaction that the State party ratified in 2015 the
Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or
Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
5.
The Committee welcomes the following legislative measures taken by the State
party in areas of relevance to the Convention:
(a)
The adoption, in 2017, of the amendment to the Penal Code removing the
requirement of requesting court permission before carrying out an abortion in the cases
where abortion is legally accepted;
(b)
The adoption, in 2014, of Law No. 13 ter/2014 relating to refugees;
(c)
The adoption, in 2013, of Law No. 69/2013 on extradition, which recognizes
the principle of non-refoulement.
6.
The Committee welcomes the State party’s initiatives to amend its policies and
procedures in order to afford greater protection of human rights and to apply the
Convention, in particular:
(a)
The application, in 2017, of the Integrated Electronic Case Management
System in all Rwandan courts;
* Adopted by the Committee at its sixty-second session (6 November–6 December 2017).
GE.17-23071(E)