In defence of Rwanda's political freedoms and human rights
By Asuman Bisiika
Posted Saturday, February 8 2014 at 02:00
Whereas the president's handlers say he speaks his mind, the framed
portrayal by accusers is that of a brazen insensitive ruler.
At the end of January, the United Nations Special Rapporteur published
a report of his findings on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly
and of association in Rwanda. It carried a Kigali dateline. After the
banal entreaties about the good governance practices by the government
of Rwanda, the report went into particular incidents manifesting a
tight political system.
Like most national constitutions, the Rwandan Constitution provides
for freedom of peaceful assembly, political plurality and other
aspects of civil liberties.
The law, however, demands that prior to holding a demonstration, the
organisers of the demonstration must notify (and obtain authorisation
from) the state. The UN raportuer says "this creates an inherent
contradiction in requiring both prior notification and authorisation,
paving the way for arbitrary decisions by the concerned authorities".
The raportuer observed that peaceful protests, voicing dissent and
criticising government policies are not allowed. But "peaceful
assemblies which authorities favour are allowed to take place; such as
the commemoration marches organised by Ibuka, which are also
facilitated by the authorities". He adds: "For instance, students who
presented a petition to the Prime Minister protesting against the
reduction of scholarships were arrested for illegal demonstration.
In addition, Mr Sylvain Sibomana, Secretary General of the Unified
Democratic Forces FDU-Inkingi, was arrested with a fellow party member
outside a courtroom while attending the trial of Ms Victoire Ingabire,
Chair of the same party. They both wore T-shirts with the inscription
"democracy and justice". Mr Sibomana was injured by law enforcement
officials in the course of his arrest.
But we have heard and seen all that on the African continent; even as
nearer home as in our fair East African Community. So, we ask, why the
obsession with Rwanda when most African countries are not any
different from Rwanda in the area of political freedoms?
In fact if one read this report without knowing that it is about
Rwanda, one could as well think it was written about Uganda. Let us
face it, in East Africa, the only country in which the political
opposition is enjoying a respectable level of political freedoms is
Kenya.
Even in Tanzania, the so-called kisiwa kya amaani (the island of
peace), the state still treats the opposition in a manner that
contradicts provisions of the Constitution. Then you ask yourself, why
is this obsession with Rwanda?
In my narrow assessment, I think Rwanda attracts scrutiny because in
most cases, the state responds to these reports (in the thinking that
these people would appreciate the Rwandan explanations). Rwandan
government officials are very passionate about defending their
government.
The president almost always responds to accusations that Rwanda has a
bad record of human rights and political freedoms. And when he
responds, he speaks with so much candour and frankness that it borders
on the undiplomatic. And the media enjoys that. Whereas the
president's handlers say he speaks his mind, the framed portrayal by
accusers is that of a brazen insensitive ruler.
Anecdote Ms Victoire Ingabire, Mr Sylvain Sibomana and Mr Anselme
Mutuyimana are senior members of FDU-Inkingi political party (not
registered yet). Mr Bernard Ntaganda is from PS Imberakuri. They are
all serving sentences ranging from 4 to 15 years. But the law
governing political parties says that a sentence of five years and
above in prison comes with a ban from holding any leadership position
in any political party.
With a ban from holding any political office, the centre of gravity
for the above cases has shifted from legal arguments to morality. But
Rwandan government officials still argue the law…; disregarding the
morality of the sentences.
Mr Bisiika is the executive editor of East Africa Flagpost.
http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/In-defence-of-Rwanda-s-political-freedoms-and-human-rights/-/689364/2196966/-/11k9g2b/-/index.html
--
SIBOMANA Jean Bosco
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