Rwanda, with a population of 10 million, is a constitutional republic dominated by a strong presidency. In 2003 voters elected President Paul Kagame to a seven-year term in largely peaceful but seriously marred elections. Chamber of Deputies elections took place in September 2008 and were peaceful and orderly, despite irregularities. The Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) dominated the government and legislature. Civilian authorities generally maintained effective control of the security forces.
Citizens' right to change their government was effectively restricted. Violence against genocide survivors and witnesses by unknown assailants resulted in deaths. There were reports of abuse of suspects by security forces and local defense members, and prison and detention center conditions remained generally harsh. Security forces arbitrarily arrested and detained persons. Prolonged pretrial detention was a problem. There were restraints on judicial independence and limits on freedoms of speech, press, association, and religion. The government forcibly returned refugees. Official corruption and restrictions on civil society remained a problem. Societal violence and discrimination against women, trafficking in persons, and discrimination against Twa and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community occurred. There were restrictions on labor rights, and child labor occurred.
via state.gov
Here is a report on Human Rights and Practices in Rwanda. This report was authored by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and published through the US State Department.
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