- You are here:
- Home
- › Travel & living abroad
- › Travel advice by country
- › Country profiles
- › Sub Saharan Africa
- › Rwanda
Sub Saharan Africa
Rwanda |
|
|
|
Country information
POLITICS
The RPF has remained the dominant party in Rwanda since July 1994 when they set up a Transitional Government of National Unity, sharing power with other parties, under the formula agreed at Arusha in 1993. This arrangement, together with a nominated 70-member multi-party Transitional National Assembly lasted until 2003. During that period, the RPF ensured domestic security, put in place programmes for economic reconstruction, justice and community reconciliation and ended any official distinction between Hutu and Tutsi. Under a new constitution agreed by referendum in May 2003, Presidential and parliamentary elections took place in August and September 2003. Paul Kagame was elected President with 95% of the vote for a 7-year term, and the RPF won 73.8% of the votes in the parliamentary elections.
Progress has been marred by military engagement in the neighbouring DRC. Although Rwandan troops withdrew from the DRC in 2002, allegations persisted that Rwanda maintained a presence in eastern DRC. There are also continued questions over domestic human rights and political freedoms. Although voting in the 2003 elections was generally well run and orderly, international observers reported irregularities in the electoral process, including intimidation of voters. All alternative parties have to join the Forum of Political Parties, chaired by the RPF and do not provide a strong opposition. In 2002, former President Pasteur Bizimungu was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for a variety of offences after trying to establish a political party. Bizimungu’s appeal against the sentence was turned down in February 2006. He was subsequently granted a Presidential pardon and released in April 2007. The next elections will take place in September 2008 (parliamentary) and 2010 (presidential).
BBC News Country Profile: Rwanda
HUMAN RIGHTS
In 1994, the UN Security Council established an International Criminal Tribunal (ICTR) to try the main leaders and planners of the genocide. Its progress has been slow but it has now convicted 27 people. Given the large number of Rwandans involved in the genocide and the inability of the local Judicial system to cope, the Rwandan government set up in 2002 a modern version of the traditional justice system, called Gacaca, which tried lesser offenders within their own communities. Gacaca is due to formally complete its work in 2008.
Human rights abuses continue to be reported in Rwanda. Human rights NGOs suffer restrictions and harassment, the press is closely controlled, independent journalists and opposition politicians face intimidation, and disappearances have been reported. Human rights organisations assert that accusations of promoting 'divisionism' have been used to silence criticism of the Government. In December 2004, President Kagame promised a national human rights campaign. Many NGOs continue to focus on education and reconciliation in the wake of the genocide. The Government has established a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and a National Unity and Reconciliation Commission (NURC).
Human Rights Annual Report 2006
