The Universal Periodic Review (UPR)
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a unique mechanism of the United Nations which started in April 2008 and consists of reviewing the human rights situation of all UN Member States, once every four and a half years.States have to implement the recommendations they have accepted and voluntary pledges they have taken. During the UPR , the country is reviewed on the implementation of those recommendations and on the human rights situation since the previous review.
The UPR process involves various stakeholders including Civil Society Organisations who play an important part in monitoring the State’s implementation of UPR recommendations to ensure Government’s accountability and respect of human rights. The findings can serve as the basis for advocacy with the national Government, and may be developed as submissions to human rights mechanisms..
UPR Reports
Capacity Building of the Media
We conduct various capacity-building sessions for journalists with the objective of having a media that is skilled in broadcasting and publishing legal information, equipped with basic knowledge of human rights, and reporting professionally on justice and human rights issues. We also train Journalists on legal frameworks governing their work to ensure that they do not collide with the law.
Legal protection to media practitioners
Like in many other countries, journalists and content creators in Rwanda need legal assistance. Our past records indicate a high number of journalists and media outlets that face legal actions but oftentimes cannot afford legal services. Under our strategic objective "Promotion and Protection of Human Rights", we offer journalists legal assistance including legal advice and representation in judicial and other administrative organs due to their specific vulnerability as frontline human rights defenders.
Vulnerable and indigent people across Rwanda are finding it more and more difficult to obtain correct legal information, and understand legal frameworks and their rights within them. The Legal Aid Forum works to empower the Rwandan population, especially indigent and vulnerable people to use the law, formal and informal justice mechanisms, and dispute resolution to assert their rights and advance their interests.
Legal Aid Week
Since 2009, LAF collaborates with other justice sector institutions to conduct Legal Aid Weeks (LAW) with the objective of offering intensive legal education on laws to citizens. Conducted annually, this country-wide activity involves lawyers, paralegals, and legal officers traveling to specific regions of the country, raising legal awareness. During the week, legal offices also provide legal assistance such as representation and advice to vulnerable and marginalized individuals such as minors in conflict with the law, nursing and pregnant mothers in detention, the sick and elderly, women, people with disabilities, and many more.
Legal Awareness by Paralegals
Rwanda has over 3,000 community-based paralegals. National Paralegal Network was established in 2013 with the assistance of LAF to bring together all paralegals within LAF member organizations.
LAF deployed community-based paralegals in all 30 Districts of Rwanda, to provide free quality legal services to the Rwandan population. Services they offer include: Legal education/awareness raising, Legal advice, Mediation, Referrals,Accompaniment1.
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Legal Education Through Media
LAF’s proactive approach to media engagement allows the organization to do advocacy on several legal issues as well as make its pro bono legal services known to the Rwandan population and how to access the abovementioned services. Working with the biggest media houses and taking advantage of their wide coverage and popularity among the population, LAF uses TV and radio stations to educate citizens on their legal rights. As a result of the good rapport LAF has built with the Rwandan media sector, the organization has become the go-to for legal aid information
ICT for Justice
We have curated legal content intended to educate citizens on laws and rights. At any time, any citizen can call our legal aid help line 1022 to learn about certain laws.
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