Last Change:

05/28/2025

Constitution of Rwanda with amendments to 2023

Year: 2015

Type: Domestic law

Rights Category: Asylum, Education, Freedom of movement, Health, Housing, land & property, Liberty & security of person, Nationality & facilitated naturalization, Social protection, Work & Workplace rights, Family life, Documentation

Description

The Constitution of Rwanda establishes the fundamental legal and political framework for the nation. It outlines the structure of government, defines the rights and freedoms of Rwandan citizens, and sets forth the duties of both the state and its people. It also affirms key principles, such as national sovereignty, the rule of law, and the importance of Rwandan culture, to guide the country's development and governance. 

Selected provisions
Article 1 - Protection from discrimination

All Rwandans are born and remain equal in rights and freedoms.
Discrimination of any kind or its propaganda based on, inter alia, ethnic origin, family or ancestry, clan, skin colour or race, sex, region, economic categories, religion or faith, opinion, fortune, cultural differences, language, economic status, physical or mental disability or any other form of discrimination are prohibited and punishable by law.

Article 19 - Child’s right to protection

Every child has the right to specific mechanisms of protection by his or her family, other Rwandans and the State, depending on his or her age and living conditions, as provided for by national and international law.

Article 26 - Right to freedom of movement and residence

Every Rwandan has the right to move freely
and to reside anywhere in Rwanda.

Every Rwandan has the right to leave Rwanda
and to return.

These rights may only be restricted by law for
reasons of public order and of national security,
in order to avert a public threat or to protect
persons in danger.

Article 26 - Right to freedom of movement and residence

Every Rwandan has the right to move freely and to reside anywhere in Rwanda.

Article 29 - Right to due process of law

Everyone has the right to due process of law,
which includes the right:
1° to be informed of the nature and cause of
charges and the right to defence and legal
representation;
2° to be presumed innocent until proved
guilty by a competent Court;
3° to appear before a competent Court;
4° not to be subjected to prosecution, arrest,
detention or punishment on account of
any act or omission which did not
constitute an offence under national or
international law at the time it was
committed. Offences and their penalties
are determined by law;
5° not to be held liable for an offence he or
she did not commit. Criminal liability is
personal;
6° not to be punished for an offence with a
penalty that is severer than the penalty
provided for by the law at the time that
offence was committed;
7° not to be imprisoned merely on the
ground of inability to fulfil a contractual
obligation;
8° not to be prosecuted or punished for a
crime which has reached its statute of
limitations. However, the crime of
genocide, crimes against humanity and
war crimes are not subject to statute of
limitations. A law may determine other
crimes which are not subject to statute of
limitations.

Article 34 - Right to private property

Everyone has the right to private property, whether individually or collectively owned.

Private property, whether owned individually or
collectively, is inviolable.

The right to property shall not be encroached upon except in public interest and in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Article 37 - Freedom of conscience and religion

Freedom of thought, conscience, religion, worship and public manifestation thereof is guaranteed by the State in accordance with the law.

Propagation of ethnic, regional, racial discrimination or any other form of division is punished by law.