Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) has warned the general public against child labour and called for partnership to protect and promote child rights.

The caution comes after after separate operations conducted by Police and local leaders in the districts of Rutsiro, Karongi and Kamonyi, on Friday and Saturday, in which at least 12 minors were rescued from varied hectic and child labour activities.

Three people, who were using the children in stone quarry, mining concessions, sugarcane plantations and domestic chores were arrested during the separate operations.

In Rutsiro, Rusebeya Sector, one Donatha Nyirazamu was arrested for employing eight children, who were found carrying tiles and doing other heavy work.

Three other minors aged 12, 15 and 17, were rescued in a mining concession in Rugarika Sector, Kamonyi district. Their employer identified as Emmanuel Mazimpaka, 39, was also taken into custody.

Meanwhile, Justin Secumu, 32, was also arrested in Karongi district, Bwishyura Sector after he was found using a 12-year old girl as housemaid. The girl was also being used to vendor ovacados.

RNP spokesperson, Commissioner of Police (CP) John Bosco Kabera warned that the operations will continue to "arrest anyone employing children, violating their rights and hampering their better future."

Article 6 of the law regulating labor in Rwanda, prohibits subjecting a child below the age of 18 to any form of works, which are physically harmful to the child; work underground, underwater, at dangerous heights or in confined space; work with dangerous machinery, equipment and tools or which involves manual handling or transport of heavy loads; work in an environment, which exposes the child to temperatures, noise levels or vibrations damaging his/her health; work for longer hours or during the night or performed in confined spaces.

"No child aged below 18 years should be employed in homes or in any activity and in hectic activities in their homes. Many children have been found in sugar plantations, mining, carrying goods in markets and being used in homes as domestic workers and rearing cattle," said CP Kabera.

He added: "Parenting and protection of children is the role of the entire community. These minors are employed by neighbours, engaged in hard labour jobs in public places like markets and in other child labour activities in neighbourhoods; we urge the public to report such violations and crimes committed against children."

He said that minors, in these school holidays, should be supporting their parents in "easy domestic duties" but "not turning them into house-help doing all domestic chores."

“Children have the right to adequate development and every parent and the community in general, have the responsibility to care for them and protect them until they are of legal adult age to ensure appropriate child development."