Rwanda: President Kagame's inauguration - an opportunity to strengthen human rights protection
As President Kagame takes the oath of office today following his victory in the 25 August presidential elections
Amnesty International is urging him to guarantee basic human rights for all Rwandese.
"President Kagame should exercise the mandate he has won to guarantee the freedom for all Rwandese and for all sectors
of society to express their views, in particular with respect to the ongoing campaign for parliamentary elections
scheduled for 29 September through 2 October, " the organization urged.
Amnesty International welcomes the positive steps taken by the current government in the post-genocide transition
period. "The accomplishments of adopting a new Constitution, introducing legislation concerning the administration of
political life and the management of presidential elections are significant."
The vast majority of Rwandese people participated peacefully in the 25 August presidential elections. However, not all
Rwandese were able to fully exercise fundamental civil and political rights in the last months of Rwanda's post-genocide
transition period.
In the run up to the constitution referendum and, more significantly, during the presidential poll, election monitors
noted numerous incidents, acts of harassment and intimidation and the arrests and "disappearances" of members of the
political opposition. It would be unfortunate if the same allegations were to mar the ongoing parliamentary campaigns
and forthcoming elections.
Amnesty International calls for a transparent investigation of all acts of harassment and intimidation and arrests of
alleged members of the political opposition.
Opposition silenced in run-up to elections in Rwanda. Read more: http://amnesty-news.c.tclk.net/maabrBPaa0tF8bb0hPub/
All AI documents on Rwanda: http://amnesty-news.c.tclk.net/maabrBPaa0tF9bb0hPub/