The human rights NGO, Human Rights Watch (HRW), rose this week against the conviction of Théophile Ntirutwa, a member of the unregistered opposition party Dalfa-Umurinzi in Rwanda, handed down on December 16 2022 by the Rwamagana High Court Chamber.
Théophile Ntirutwa was sentenced to seven years in prison for having spread, according to justice, “false information or harmful propaganda with the intention of provoking international opinion hostile to the Rwandan state”.
This “conviction of a Rwandan opposition politician for allegedly tarnishing the image of the country is an example of the long-standing misuse of the justice system to stifle freedom of expression and association”, said said HRW.
For the NGO, “this criminal offense is incompatible with Rwanda’s regional and international human rights obligations, particularly with regard to freedom of expression”.
Its director for Central Africa, Lewis Mudge, asserted that “the condemnation of yet another political opponent for having allegedly sought to incite hostility against Rwanda testifies to the high price to pay when one gets involved in politics in Rwanda (…) It is all the more surprising that Rwanda currently chairs the Commonwealth, which presents itself as a champion of the rule of law and good governance”.
The case dates back to May 2020. Ntirutwa was arrested following a violent incident at his shop in Rwamagana district, in which a man was stabbed to death. Three other people who were in his store at the time of the incident have been arrested, charged with forming a criminal association, murder, theft. Ntirutwa was accused of inciting the uprising.
After spending more than two and a half years in pre-trial detention, Ntirutwa was acquitted of all charges on December 16, except for spreading false information with the intention of creating an opinion hostile to the government. respect of Rwanda abroad.
This man allegedly told his party leader, Victoire Ingabire, on the phone that the incident was an assassination attempt by police and armed soldiers against him, and that there was confusion with the downcast man. These co-defendants have regained their freedom.
Rwanda should respect freedom of expression, release detainees and repeal the abusive Penal Code provision, HRW argues.
“As the 2024 presidential elections approach, the Rwandan government should immediately release civil society activists, journalists and opposition figures imprisoned for exercising their fundamental rights. The government should respect and protect their right to freedom of expression: a necessary precondition for an environment conducive to free and fair elections,” urged Lewis Mudge.
By OMA Newsletter No. 1016 of 20/01/2023
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
