Rwanda Peace Academy: Human Rights Training for Peace Operations

• Twenty-eight military, police, and civilian personnel began a weeklong International Human Rights Law training at the Rwanda Peace Academy in Musanze.
• The course, the third of its kind, is a joint initiative by the Rwanda Peace Academy, the UN Human Rights Office in Rwanda, and UNICEF.
• Key topics include the relationship between human rights and humanitarian law, protection of civilians, prevention of torture, SGBV, and accountability.
• Officials emphasized that human rights are fundamental to legitimate security operations and must guide all decisions, including the use of force.

Human rights are not an obstacle to effective security operations; rather, they form the bedrock for legitimacy, discipline, public confidence, and lasting peace.

A specialized weeklong training program, the International Human Rights Law in Peace Support Operations Course, commenced on Monday, November 2, at the Rwanda Peace Academy in Musanze District. This significant Rwanda Peace Academy human rights training brought together twenty-eight participants, comprising military, police, and civilian personnel, underscoring a multi-sectoral approach to human rights education.

The initiative marks the third such collaborative effort, jointly organized by the Rwanda Peace Academy, the UN Human Rights Office in Rwanda, and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The course is designed to run until November 6, aiming to equip attendees with practical knowledge directly applicable to their respective institutions, daily professional responsibilities, and future deployments in peace support operations. This ongoing partnership highlights a sustained commitment to enhancing human rights standards among those involved in security and humanitarian efforts within the region.

Colonel (Rtd) Jill Rutaremara, who serves as the Director of the Rwanda Peace Academy, addressed the opening session, highlighting the increasingly complex legal, ethical, and operational challenges confronting contemporary peace support operations. He stressed the critical necessity for all personnel engaged in such missions to possess a robust understanding of International Human Rights Law and to cultivate the capacity to both uphold and safeguard human rights throughout their duties.

Rutaremara underscored that the core principles of respecting human dignity and ensuring humane treatment for all individuals must remain central to every phase of peace support operations, from initial planning to execution and overall conduct. He further explained that the protection and promotion of human rights demand coordinated efforts across military, police, and civilian institutions, which is precisely why the course intentionally gathers participants from these diverse sectors. This integrated approach is crucial for fostering comprehensive compliance and effective implementation of human rights standards.

The curriculum for the Musanze human rights law course is comprehensive, delving into key areas such as the intricate relationship between International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law. It also covers vital topics including the protection of civilians and children, strategies for the prevention of torture and arbitrary detention, and crucial measures against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). A significant focus is placed on peace support operations accountability, ensuring that personnel are aware of their obligations and the consequences of non-compliance.

Michael Ngabirano, the Senior Human Rights Advisor to the UN Resident Coordinator and Head of the UN Human Rights Office Rwanda, articulated that human rights should be viewed as an intrinsic component of security operations. He asserted that human rights are not an obstacle to effective security operations; rather, they form the bedrock for legitimacy, discipline, public confidence, and lasting peace. Ngabirano acknowledged that security personnel frequently operate in challenging environments characterized by post-conflict issues, displacement, organized crime, misinformation, and declining public trust, often necessitating difficult decisions under pressure. He emphasized that adherence to human rights must guide all decisions, from operational planning and rules of engagement to arrests, detention procedures, crowd management, and the paramount protection of civilians. For military police civilian human rights training, this guidance is particularly vital.

Ngabirano further clarified that for personnel performing law-and-order duties, the use of force should never be the primary or automatic response. When force becomes unavoidable, officials are mandated to minimize harm and preserve human life, strictly adhering to the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, precaution, and accountability.

Lawyers and compliance officers advising clients involved in or impacted by peace support operations in Rwanda should note the ongoing emphasis on International Human Rights Law and International Humanitarian Law compliance, particularly concerning accountability, protection of civilians, and prevention of torture/SGBV. This multi-agency training indicates a continued focus on these areas, which could influence legal interpretations, enforcement actions, and the standard of conduct expected from security personnel.

Source: Original reporting via New Times