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Articles - Rwanda

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Uganda / Rwanda

Rwandan journalist shot dead in Kampala, Uganda

Charles Ingabire, the Rwandan exiled editor of the online publication "Inyenyeri", was shot dead by one or more unknown gunmen in a vehicle at a bar in Kampala, Uganda on 30 November, report the Human Rights Network for Journalists-Uganda (HRNJ-Uganda) and other IFEX members. As "Inyeyeri" is highly critical of Rwandan President Paul Kagame, it is believed the early morning shooting - which killed Ingabire instantly - was carried out as a punishment for Ingabire's writings.

Rwanda

Women journalists get 17, seven years in jail

They weren't the ridiculously long sentences that prosecutors were looking for, but last week two women journalists in Rwanda were sentenced to 17 years and seven years respectively for inciting disobedience, causing divisions and denying the 1994 genocide, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Rwanda

President Kagame silences critics surrounding re-election

Rwandan President Paul Kagame won another seven-year term in elections on 9 August, after already being in power for 15 years. He captured 93 percent of the vote by banning opposition parties and eliminating critical domestic news coverage, report Human Rights Watch, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Committee to Protect Journalists and other IFEX members. In the months leading up to election-day, the government systematically shut down news outlets and terrorised critical journalists into fleeing the country.

Rwanda

Editor slain; opposition silenced in run-up to elections

In a climate of political repression weeks before Rwandan presidential elections, a leading independent editor was shot dead on 24 June, report Journaliste en Danger (JED), the Media Institute (MI), the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and other IFEX members. Authorities had targeted him for months and his newspaper, one of the few critical voices in the country, had recently been banned. His assassination is a brutal episode in a broader crackdown as the state attempts to suppress all dissent prior to the elections in August.

Rwanda

Independent website blocked prior to elections

Immediately after his newspaper was suspended for criticising President Paul Kagame, a defiant Rwandan editor launched an online news website that was just as critical of the government. In the lead up to presidential elections in August, the site was recently blocked, report the Media Institute, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF).

Rwanda

Newspapers suspended; opposition assaulted and threatened

The six-month suspension of two Rwandan newspapers has ensured they won't be able to report on presidential elections in August, gagging alternative voices, report the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Also, opposition members and activists critical of government policies are increasingly under attack, says Human Rights Watch.

Rwanda

LE PROCÈS DES « MÉDIAS DE LA HAINE » SE TERMINE PAR DES CONDAMNATIONS

Rwanda

JUICIO DE "MEDIOS DEL ODIO" TERMINA EN CONDENAS

Rwanda

"HATE MEDIA" TRIAL ENDS IN CONVICTIONS

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) has sentenced three journalists to jail terms of between 35 years and life imprisonment for inciting genocide in 1994, Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF) writes.

Rwanda

Des rapports de l'IMS evaluent la situation des medias en Angola et au Rwanda

Rwanda

Informes de IMS evalúan situación de los medios de comunicación en Angola y Rwanda

Rwanda

UN JOURNALISTE EST ASSASSINÉ

Rwanda

REPORTERO ASESINADO

Rwanda

REPORTER MURDERED

In Rwanda, Jean-Marie Hategekimana, a reporter for the government weekly "Imvaho," was murdered on the night of 11 to 12 March in a bar in Kigali, says Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières, RSF). Hategekimana had been talking with three individuals including an official from the Ibuka group of genocide survivors' associations when two men burst into the bar and attempted to rob them. They shot all four individuals, who were declared dead on arrival at hospital, says RSF. Hategekimana was buried on 14 March. There is no indication as to whether he was killed because of his work as a journalist.

Rwanda

NUEVA LEY DE PRENSA PROVOCA INQUIETUD

Rwanda

UNE NOUVELLE LOI SUR LA PRESSE RAVIVE L?INQUIÉTUDE

Rwanda

NEW PRESS LAW RAISES CONCERNS

The legacy of the Rwandan media's role in fueling hatred during the 1994 genocide "should not be used as an excuse to reduce opposition voices to silence," concludes Reporters sans frontières (RSF) in a report released last week. RSF recently returned from a visit to Rwanda in which it examined the country's press freedom conditions.

Rwanda

PROPONEN PENA DE MUERTE PARA PERIODISTAS QUE INCITAN AL ODIO

Rwanda

QUI INCITENT À LA HAINE

Rwanda

DEATH PENALTY PROPOSED FOR JOURNALISTS WHO INCITE HATRED

Rwanda is considering introducing the death penalty for local journalists who incite racial hatred, according to the United Nations Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN). The country's parliament is currently debating a media bill that would impose a minimum jail term of 20 years or even death for any local journalist found guilty of using the mass media to incite genocide. Any foreign journalist who incites the public to commit genocide would be banned from entering or staying in Rwanda. The bill also proposes that journalists be compelled to reveal their sources.