Rwanda is participating in the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, which opened on February 23, 2026, in Geneva, Switzerland.
The high-level meeting, hosted at the Palais des Nations, brings together United Nations member states to assess pressing global human rights challenges. The session is scheduled to run until early April.
Rwanda’s delegation is led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, alongside the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Emmanuel Ugirashebuja.
During the session, Rwanda is expected to deliver a national statement reaffirming its commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, prevention of violations, and strengthened multilateral cooperation.
At the opening segment, Minister Nduhungirehe is participating in a high-level panel discussion themed “Durban 25: Addressing hate speech as a driver of violence and regional instability,” a dialogue focusing on the global fight against hate speech and extremist ideologies that fuel insecurity.
On the sidelines, the Rwandan delegation is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with UN officials and representatives of member states to enhance cooperation and exchange views on key international human rights issues.
Rwanda is also expected to use the global platform to highlight concerns related to hate speech and genocidal ideologies in the region, underscoring the need for sustained international efforts to prevent violence and safeguard stability.
The 61st session will review the human rights situations of 25 countries and examine more than 80 thematic reports covering a wide range of global concerns.
