Mr. Vice President,

Rwanda takes note of the Working Group’s reports, including its thematic report on enforced disappearances and memorialisation.

Rwanda takes allegations of enforced disappearance seriously and maintains safeguards for investigating missing-person cases through its national institutions, including a dedicated desk within the Rwanda Investigation Bureau.

Rwanda rejects the allegations attributed to it in the eastern DRC and reaffirms that these serious allegations must be supported by clear, verifiable and case specific evidence.

The report does not provide any information to establish the factual basis for attributing the alleged acts to Rwanda, nor does it clearly explain the nature or basis of Rwanda’s alleged involvement.

We therefore request the Working Group to provide information, cases and evidence on which these allegations are based, including the methodology used to establish attribution. This is essential to enable proper verification and allow Rwanda to provide a substantive response.

This evidentiary standard is particularly important in eastern DRC, a highly complex conflict environment in which more than 260 armed groups operate, some supported by the DRC government alongside mercenaries, and foreign armed forces. With such a conflict environment, attribution cannot be presumed, it must be back by evidence.

Rwanda remains ready to engage constructively through established procedures.

Regarding the thematic report, Rwanda recognizes the importance of victim centered memorialization.

We encourage the Working Group to ensure that its mandate is consistently grounded in verified facts, transparent methodology and constructive engagement with the States concerned.

I thank you.