Geneva (CU)_The United Kingdom has expressed its concern over human rights violations, especially the continued restrictions on civil and political rights and media freedom, in Rwanda.
In his statement on Rwanda at the 37th Session of Universal Periodic Review, UK’s ambassador to the EU Political and Security Committee Julian Braithwaite called on the East African nation to uphold the values of democracy, rule of law, and respect for human rights.
“As a member of the Commonwealth, and future Chair-in-Office, we urge Rwanda to model Commonwealth values of democracy, rule of law, and respect for human rights,” the statement read.
The United Kingdom further recommended Rwanda to conduct transparent, credible and independent investigations into allegations of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and torture, as well as deaths in custody.
Braithwaite also called on President Paul Kagame’s government to ensure state authorities comply with the Access to Information law, by protecting and enabling journalists to work freely, without fear of retribution.
Meanwhile, the United States also joined the United Kingdom in expressing concerns regarding human rights violations in the East African state, and made several recommendations which mainly focused on the freedom of expression, unlawful/ arbitrary arrests and detentions, killings, and enforced disappearances of human rights defenders, as well as the independence of the justice system.
A statement issued by the US Embassy in Rwanda noted that while Washington commends Rwanda’s progress in increasing gender equality and access to education, nevertheless, remains concerned about limited civic and political space in the country.
However, Rwanda’s delegation led by Justice Minister and Attorney General Johnston Busingye denied these claims made by the Western allies. In a lengthy statement which was delivered virtually, Busingye denied the involvement of the government in forced disappearances, as well as the allegations made regarding illegal detention facilities and targeting of the opposition and critical media.
“There are no prosecutions that target persons simply because they are politicians or journalists or human rights defenders, and the so-called political trials do not exist, nor are trials against journalists or human rights defenders just for being journalists or human rights defenders,” the AG said.
Notwithstanding his denial, international human rights NGO, Human Rights Watch (HRW), in its 2021 World Report, accused the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) of targeting those perceived as a threat to the government, as several high-profile government critics were arrested or threatened.
“Arbitrary detention, ill-treatment, and torture in official and unofficial detention facilities continued. Fair trial standards were routinely flouted in many sensitive political cases, in which security-related charges are often used to prosecute prominent government critics,” the Report read.
