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Rwanda: Living under fears of reprisals

By on July 5, 2010
At least 500.000 Tutsi and Hutus favourable to the ethnic coexistence were killed during the committed genocide 16 years ago by the Hutus, until the takeover of Kigali by the Tutsi rebels of the RPF (Rwandan Patriotic Front) led by Paul Kagamé, now in power. Then numerous Hutus left the Country, and today, the ethnic divisions that sparked the massacres have resurfaced.

In a report released by the “International Refugee Rights Initiative” and “Refugee Law Project”, it claims that the Rwandan authorities are using the legacy of genocide to repress the Hutus. Refugees in Uganda (18,000) are afraid to return home. These refugees say they live in fear, and their lives are in danger. “We are afraid of being killed at any time by Rwandan spies”, they declared.
The Rwandan authorities have tortured, put in prison, and would even kill Hutus, according to the report. The report adds that “this situation threatens to shatter the apparent peace and prosperity in Rwanda, because of the violence based on ethnicity”. The report condemns the Rwandans authorities for the repression against the dissidents, in the recent weeks, restricting freedoms and silencing the opponents before the presidential election to be held on August the 9th in the country.
The Rwandan ambassador to Uganda, Major General Frank Mugambage, denied the accusations contained in the report. He said it is not credible and it is based only on a few interviews.

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