Rwanda

(RSF/IFEX) – On 28 November 1997, Stephen Smith, a reporter with the French daily “Liberation”, was refused a visa by the Rwandan Embassy in France. On 1 December, Modeste Rutabagiro, Charge d’affaires at the embassy confirmed that Smith was declared “persona non grata” in Rwanda, adding “he (Smith) has only himself to blame, considering the […]

(RSF/IFEX) – On 28 October 1997, Joseph Habyarimana, editor of the magazine “Indorerwamo”, was arrested and detained in a dungeon in the Cyahafi section of Nyarugenge, Kigali, where he was allegedly assaulted. Habyarimana was then transferred to the Kigali Central Prison during the week of 3 November. Habyarimana was accused of writing an article published […]

(RSF/IFEX) – On 28 October 1997, Joseph Habyarimana, editor of the magazine “Indorerwamo”, was arrested and detained in a dungeon in the Cyahafi section of Nyarugenge, Kigali, where he was allegedly assaulted. Habyarimana was then transferred to the Kigali Central Prison during the week of 3 November. Habyarimana was accused of writing an article published […]

Appolos Hakizimana, a journalist with the privately-owned newspaper “Intego”, was released from the Muhima Brigade in Kigali during the week of 19 August 1996. **Updates IFEX alerts dated 9 and 1 August 1996** Background Information Hakizimana was picked up by police on 30 July and accused of being an “interahamwe” (a term used to designate […]

Amiel Nkuliza (not Nkuriza, as previously reported), director of the privately-owned newspaper “Intego” and editor-in chief of the independent newspaper “Le Partisan”, has been released. Although the date of his release could not be specified, it reportedly occurred on 13 August 1996. **Updates IFEX alert dated 9 August 1996** Background Information According to an alert […]

On 6 August 1996, Amiel Nkuriza, director of the privately-owned newspaper “Intego” and editor of the independent newspaper “Le Partisan”, was arrested by officers of the security forces. He is reportedly being held at the information services department. No formal charges have been made against him. **New cases, plus update to IFEX alerts dated 1 […]

On 30 July 1996, Appolos Hakizimana, a journalist with the privately-owned newspaper “Intego”, was arrested in Kigali by police and accused of being an “interahamwe” (a term used to designate Hutu accomplices to genocide). He was later taken to an unknown destination by police and has not been seen since. Recommended Action Send appeals to […]

On 16 July 1996, Jean-Pierre Bichamumpaka, treasurer of the independent bi-weekly “Kinyamateka”, was arrested in front of a financial institution in Kigali (the Caisse sociale) by five police officers, three of whom were plainclothes. Bichamumpaka was then taken to the police headquarters in Kacyiru and detained without any official warrant being shown to him. During […]

On 29 March 1996, journalist Joseph Ruyenzi was arrested by soldiers from the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA). Ruyenzi, a Hutu, works for the Kinyarwanda-language program “Radio Rwanda”. He was reportedly charged with participating in “secret meetings” (“reunions clandestines”). There has been no news of his whereabouts since his reported arrest. Meanwhile, there has been no […]

On the evening of 29 January 1995, an attempt was made on the life of Edouard Mutsinzi, editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Le Messager-Intumwa”. He was attacked in a bar in Nyamirambo (Kigali), while in the company of his wife, and several friends and journalists. A group of approximately five men armed with knives and fire […]