RWANDA

Country Summary

The alarming numbers of killings and other acts of violence against unarmed civilians perpetrated by the Rwandan Patriotic Front have sabotaged Rwandans’ efforts to rebuild their country. Citizens and returnees have fallen victim to arbitrary detention, gross abuse, or murder, and the overstretched, at times non-existent, judicial system leaves little recourse for these victims.

Although Rwandan Fundamental Law provides for freedom of the press, security forces continue to assault, kidnap, and detain members of the independent press. Journalists practice self-censorship to avoid being arrested for their reporting and to protect themselves against accusations of perpetrating the genocide. Some journalists have gone undercover in fear for their lives. Privately owned newspapers that practice critical reporting have been subject to seizures and outright government bans.

Broadcast media are state controlled. And, given the role that hate radio has played in stirring up the antagonisms that contributed to the 1994 genocide, it is unlikely that the government will grant licenses to private radio stations in the foreseeable future.

For more information contact africaweb@cpj.org