A researcher carries out his or her research independently, and he or she is guided by guiding principles governing research on a human being, ethics and professional deontology.
The interest and well-being of a research participant prevail over the sole interest of society or science.
Research on a human being cannot violate the participant’s body or his or her mind.
Research on a human being is carried out with respect to the rights, dignity and privacy of a human being.
Research on a human being must not under any circumstances endanger the health and life of the research participant.
A researcher cannot carry out a research on a vulnerable person, except where it is in his or her personal and direct benefit.
However, where a research participant is vulnerable, he or she can be subjected to research without any personal and direct benefit in case the research:
1.does not have consequence for health;
2.is useful for the persons presenting the same features of age, sex and health status as those of the research participant;
3.cannot be carried out otherwise, upon approval of the RNEC.
When the research participant is a vulnerable person, the researcher cannot conduct research on him or her without prior authorization from his or her spouse, his or her parent, his or her guardian or legal representative or the relevant authority.
A research participant does not obtain a financial or material consideration, either direct or indirect.
However, the researcher reimburses where necessary, the research participant for expenses related to participation in the research based on terms of the research protocol approved by the RNEC.
Data collected during research is subject to the primary access right of the researcher and a national institution in charge with the research.
However, another person can have the right to use data collected during research upon agreement by one of the parties specified in Paragraph One of this Article.
A research carried out on Rwandan territory by a foreign researcher must associate at least a Rwandan researcher, a foreign researcher with a residence in Rwanda, an institute or an organ with legal personality registered in Rwanda. Where it is not possible, the RNEC determines how the research should be conducted.
A foreign researcher cooperates with the national institution in charge of research.
Research carried out in Rwanda must promote the transfer of knowledge and technology for the national interest.
A researcher cannot use research data for purposes other than those provided in the research agreement.
However, in case the researcher intends to use data for an end different from the one specified in the research agreement, he or she must secure a prior authorisation from the RNEC and the research participant.