About RNEC

Background

The Rwanda National Ethics Committee (RNEC) was established in May 2002 under the auspices of the Ministry of Health of Rwanda. Our foundation was formally confirmed through Ministerial Instruction No 20/37, issued on the 30th of October, 2008. Subsequently, the composition of the committee was amended by Ministerial Instruction No 20/39 on the 26th of February, 2009, expanding our membership to ten distinguished members. This evolution reflects our commitment to enhancing the ethical oversight and governance of research activities in Rwanda.

Mission
The mission of the committee is to review all the research projects on human beings before they are conducted on Rwandan territory.

Vision
Our vision ensure that all research projects conducted in Rwanda meet nationally and internationally accepted research ethical standards.

Mandate

Roles of the RNEC

  1. Protecting research participants against unethical conduct.
  2. Setting and enforcing sound researeach guidelines and principles aimed at improving the quality of research Projects.
  3. Contribute to safeguarding the dignity, rights, safety and welfare of research participants.
  4. Promote the principle of justice by which the benefits and burden of research shall be fairly distributed among all groups and class of society.
  5. Facilitate ethically acceptable attempts to identify new and better treatment from which everyone may potentially benefit

Responsibilities of the RNEC

  1. Responsible for carrying out review of proposed research before the commencement of research.
  2. Ensure that there is regular evaluation of the ethics of ongoing studies that have received a positive decision.
  3. Has direct legal responsibilities to research subjects.
  4. Act in the full interest of potential research participants and concerned communities, taking into account the interests and needs of researchers and having due regard for the requirements of relevant regulatory authorities and applicable laws.