http://rwandansrights.org/rwanda-should-give-opponents-political-space-not-political-motivated-prison-sentences/ Rwanda should give opponents political space not politically motivated prison sentences OCTOBER 30, 2012 4:14 PM Global Campaign for Rwandans Human Rights condemns today High Court guilty verdict of the opposition party leader Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza for charges that are clearly political motivated. She has been jailed for eight years for treason and denying genocide, Since she was arrested on 14th October 2010, her trial has demonstrated to fell short basic judicial procedures and international judicial principles. Prior to her arrest there were already signs of government attempt to influence the judiciary in relation to accusations against her. This occurred when government official including the president Paul Kagame, ministers of interior, foreign affairs and local government made statements confirming Ingabire culpability. This has clearly undermined the judiciary independence and highly likely to impact the direction of the trial process and verdict. Therefore Ingabire trial was conducted in atmosphere which could not guarantee a free and fair judgement. While recognising importance of Rwandan government special attention in monitoring hate speeches that might fuel genocidal related crimes, the genocide past should not be used to close freedom to express ones views in relation to past's events and pathways to take to ensure justice and reconciliation. The scare of illeguralities and ignorance of due process identified during Ingabire trial demonstrated the judiciary commitment to collaborate with the executive in silencing criticism using the law and its unwillingness to deliver really justice. Global Campaign for Rwandans Human Rights urges the Rwandan government to: - Immediately release Victoire Ingabire and other political prisoners including Bernard Ntaganda and Deo Mushayidi who were also imprisoned as result of various political motivated charges. - Immediately release all imprisoned journalists whose trial seriously undermined the freedom of media principles. - To amend and clarify the 'genocide ideology'' law in order to prevent its use in silencing opponents and closing up criticism. - Allow justice system whose judges and prosecutors are totally independents and witnesses are not harassed. - Remember period of troubles in Rwandan history have mainly caused by lack of freedom, human rights respect and equal opportunities. Oppressing rights has high potentiality to take back Rwanda into that dark period. Lack of those fundamental freedoms also prevents Rwanda to achieve its development potentiality. - Open up political space, so that Rwandans can embrace really democracy that will ensure people rights to participate freely in order to create a democratic society. For headquarter (UK) Rene C Mugenzi info@rwandansrights.org For Rwanda team rwanda@rwandansrights.org

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