Expanding human rights through civil society organisations

Context

In recent years, Rwanda has reduced poverty in the country and enabled more people to exercise economic and social rights. However, the United Nations has concerns that the country has not yet implemented all human rights. For example, it criticises illegal arrests, limited judicial independence and the limited freedoms of the press, expression and assembly.

At the same time, many civil society organisations (CSOs) and networks in Rwanda are committed to providing human rights education and legal advice and are monitoring the human rights situation. These organisations need to continuously develop their capacity in order to use the existing political space and assert the rights of their target groups.

Objective

Selected CSOs advocate human rights more strongly – particularly those of disadvantaged people in vulnerable situations.

Approach

The project promotes the capacities of its partner organisations, which campaign for people with disabilities and LGBTI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex) people, for example.

The project focuses on three fields of action:

First, it develops the capacities of civil society organisations, for instance through training and exchange platforms, so that they can apply the human rights-based approach consistently in their advisory services and action.

Second, through CSOs, the project works to support selected interest groups, especially those that advocate the rights of women and LGBTI people. The interest groups receive training in evidence-based policy advice and organisational development and create platforms for discussion and mutual support.

Third, the project seeks to make the engagement of selected CSOs more visible to state actors. This approach aims at improving laws, policies, and services for vulnerable groups.

Furthermore, the project supports CSOs in collecting and analysing data on selected human rights, such as the right to health care. CSOs make use of their findings to improve the quality of their work

Last update: July 2023