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Amnesty International Report 2014/15 the State of the World's Human Rights

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Amnesty International Report 2014/15 the State of the World's Human Rights 6. Russian Federation: Serious human rights violations associated to remember the victims reiterated the need with the preparation for and staging of the Sochi Olympic Games, for the international community to continue open letter to the Chair of the International Olympic Committee, 10 to improve its response to emerging mass February 2014 (EUR 46/008/2014) atrocities.1 www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR46/008/2014/en Economic progress and development 7. “Russia: Legacy of Olympic games tarnished by arrests, 22 February continued. However, the political landscape 2014” (Press release) continued to be dominated by the ruling www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/russia-legacy- Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) without olympic-games-tarnished-arrests-2014-02-22 any meaningful opposition. The authorities 8. Russia: Burning down homes after Chechnya clashes appears to be continued to react harshly to any criticism, collective punishment (News story) especially regarding its human rights record. www.amnesty.org/en/news/russia-burning-down-homes-after- In late July, President Kagame reshuffled chechnya-clashes-appears-be-collective-punishment-2014-12-09-0 the cabinet and Prime Minister Habumuremyi 9. Russian Federation: Imprisoned activist must be released was replaced. The President of the Senate, immediately: Ruslan Kutaev (EUR 46/052/2014) Jean-Damascène Ntawukuriryayo, resigned www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR46/052/2014/en in September. 10. Russian Federation: Further information: New death threats against In June, a report by the UN Group Dagestan lawyers (EUR 46/034/2014) of Experts noted that the fate of former www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/EUR46/034/2014/en combatants and political cadres of the March 23 Movement (M23) armed group remained unresolved, including escapes of individuals from camps in Rwanda. Many M23 members had fled to Rwanda following their defeat by RWANDA the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) troops in late 2013. Republic of Rwanda Head of state: Paul Kagame POLITICAL ASSASSINATIONS ABROAD Head of government: Anastase Murekezi (replaced The Rwandan government denied allegations Pierre Damien Habumuremyi in July) that they were linked to successful or attempted assassinations of political dissidents abroad. Freedoms of expression and association in On 1 January, Patrick Karegeya, a leading Rwanda continued to be unduly restricted member of the opposition Rwandan National by the authorities. Rwandans were unable Congress (RNC) and former Head of External to openly express critical views on issues Intelligence (RDF), was found dead in a perceived as sensitive by the authorities hotel room in Johannesburg, South Africa. and the environment for journalists, human Investigations into his killing were carried out; rights defenders and members of the however, the perpetrators were not identified. opposition remained repressive. There were Public statements following his death by the reports of unlawful detention by Rwandan Rwandan authorities, including President military intelligence and past cases of Kagame, sought to justify the killing of people torture were not investigated. who were traitors to the country. In August, a South African Court found BACKGROUND four men guilty of the 2010 attempted 2014 marked the 20th anniversary of the 1994 assassination of Kayumba Nyamwasa, an genocide in which around 800,000 Rwandan exiled RNC dissident and former Chief of Staff Tutsi and Hutu opposed to the government of the RDF. The judge was cited in media were killed. Around the world, events held 310 Amnesty International Report 2014/15 reports as saying that the main culprits for the returned to Rwanda in January 2010 after 16 attempted assassination remained at large. years in exile in Europe. Bernard Ntaganda, President of the Ideal HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS Social Party (Parti Social-Imberakuri), was Human rights defenders were subjected to released from Mpanga prison after four personalized attacks and threats and faced years in detention. He had been found guilty intimidation and administrative obstacles. in 2011 of “divisionism” for making public Space for criticism of the country’s human speeches criticizing government policies rights record by civil society was almost ahead of the 2010 elections, breaching non-existent. The human rights community state security and attempting to plan an remained weakened, with individuals “unauthorized demonstration”. taking a pro-government position in their work or employing self-censorship to avoid FREEDOMS OF ASSOCIATION harassment by the authorities. AND EXPRESSION In August, Transparency International (TI) People continued to be imprisoned for the issued a statement reporting security risks legitimate exercise of their rights to freedom experienced by its staff. According to TI, an of association or of expression. armed man had attempted to enter its offices Sylvain Sibomana and Anselme on 29 July and another staff member had Mutuyimana, members of FDU-Inkingi, reported security threats at his home. The remained in prison. Both were sentenced in killing in July 2013 of Gustave Makonene, January following their conviction for inciting who worked for TI, had a chilling effect on insurrection or trouble among the population other activists working on potentially sensitive after organizing a meeting in Rutsiro district issues, such as corruption. in September 2012. An appeal was lodged On 8 August, the High Court of Nyarugenge against the convictions. Six members of FDU- in Kigali ruled that the current executive Inkingi were released on 5 September after committee of the Rwandan League for the serving a two-year sentence for attending the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights same meeting in Rutsiro. Sylvain Sibomana (LIPRODHOR) should remain in place. The was also convicted of participating in illegal complaint had been brought by the former gatherings for taking part in a demonstration President of LIPRODHOR who had been outside the Supreme Court during Victoire ousted in July 2013 in a move supported Ingabire’s appeal in March 2013. by the Rwanda Governance Board, an Political parties official body charged with promoting and The few opposition parties permitted faced a monitoring good governance in Rwanda. repressive environment. Legal procedures for The complainant lodged an appeal against establishing political parties remained lengthy the judgment. and time-consuming. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda POLITICAL PRISONERS (DGPR), which had been granted official Following the rejection of her appeal in registration in August 2013, called for an December 2013, Victoire Ingabire, President investigation to establish the whereabouts of of the United Democratic Forces party a leading party member, Jean Damascène (FDU-Inkingi), remained in Kigali Central Munyeshyaka, who was last seen on Prison serving a 15-year prison sentence for 27 June 2014 in Nyamata, Bugesera terrorism-related and freedom of expression District. The DGPR alleged that prior to his offences. Some of the evidence used to disappearance he had received a telephone convict her was linked to the legitimate call from an individual requesting that expression of her ideas. Victoire Ingabire had they meet immediately. The DGPR had Amnesty International Report 2014/15 311 previously reported administrative obstacles Four people - Kizito Mihigo, a singer; in registering and state surveillance, Cassien Ntamuhanga, a journalist harassment and intimidation because of their with Amazing Grace Radio; Jean Paul political activities. Dukuzumuremyi, a demobilized soldier; and Agnes Nyibizi, an accountant - were arrested UNLAWFUL DETENTIONS in April and charged with state security BY THE MILITARY offences. Official reports indicated they were Reports of unlawful detentions by the RDF accused of having been recruited by the RNC continued. People were held in detention and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation centres that were not part of the Rwanda of Rwanda, an armed group based in eastern Correctional Service, without access to Democratic Republic of the Congo, and of lawyers or due process. planning terrorist activities. It was reported Past allegations of torture, including that Kizito Mihigo may have held critical beatings, electric shocks and sensory conversations by email with the opposition deprivation, were not investigated. abroad; however, this remained unconfirmed. The authorities rejected criticism of alleged The four were detained pending trial at the unlawful detentions by military intelligence end of the year. made by the US and UK governments. On 4 In August, Rwandan military intelligence June 2014, President Kagame responded to arrested four individuals linked to the RDF. recent reports by saying that those seeking to They faced charges including tarnishing the destabilize the country would be arrested or image of the country or government, inciting even killed. insurrection or trouble among the population, concealing objects which were used or meant UNFAIR TRIALS - STATE to commit an offence, and illegal possession SECURITY TRIALS of firearms. Three faced trials before a High-ranking military officers were held military court - Colonel Tom Byabagamba, on state security charges. The authorities retired General Frank Rusagara and Sergeant failed to respect due process in their François Kabayiza. Captain David Kabuye was treatment of people suspected of terrorism- due to be tried before a civilian court. All four related offences. trials were pending at the end of 2014. The trial of Joel
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