Overview

The authorities failed to respond appropriately to the Covid-19 pandemic and to protect the right to health. Some measures against human rights defenders, activists and journalists were lifted – including the release of prisoner of conscience Germain Rukuki – but threats, intimidation and politically motivated prosecutions continued. Some returning refugees faced intimidation. The authorities failed to respect and protect women’s rights and violated the right to privacy. Enforced disappearances, unlawful killings, torture, arbitrary arrests and detentions continued. The Truth and Reconciliation Committee (TRC) faced accusations of bias and the judiciary’s independence was undermined.