Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 1996, published 85th ILC session (1997)

Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105) - Rwanda (Ratification: 1962)

Article 1(a) of the Convention. In its previous comments, the Committee noted, from the information supplied by the Government, that Ordinance No. 111/29 respecting demonstrations in the streets and public meetings had been repealed and a new Act adopted. It requested the Government to supply the text of the new Act.

The Committee notes that the Government's report contains no information on this matter. It hopes that the Government will provide the information requested with its next report.

The Committee also referred to sections 166 and 167 of the Penal Code, under which penalties of imprisonment for up to two years can be imposed for activities against the established authorities. Penalties of imprisonment involve the obligation to work under the terms of section 39 of the Penal Code and section 40 of Ordinance No. 111/127 respecting the prison service.

The Committee notes that the Government has not supplied the information requested by the Committee on the effect given in practice, including court decisions, to sections 166 and 167 of the Penal Code, in order to enable it to examine the scope of these provisions.

The Committee requests the Government to provide the information requested with its next report so that it is able to verify the observance of the Convention.

The Committee notes that the Government has not supplied the information requested by the Committee on:

- community development work (umuganda);

- the re-education and production centres set up under Presidential Order No. 234/06;

- the measures taken to ensure observance of the Convention with regard to the sentences of imprisonment imposed upon sailors for breaches of discipline.

The Committee hopes that the Government will supply all of the above information in its next report.