Torture is “rampant” in Rwanda, the place the Government turns a blind eye to extrajudicial executions and disappearances, a bombshell file warns.
A report submitted to the Government warns there’s “credible information” about brutality in prisons, whereas authorities “consistently” fail to analyze deaths believed to be by the hands of safety providers. Human Rights Watch (HRW) additionally stated it has documented arrests, beatings and in poor health therapy of LGBTI folks due to their sexuality.
It additionally accuses Rwandan authorities of masking up the actions of safety forces who killed at the least 12 refugees protesting about meals cuts in 2018. It comes as MPs debate Rishi Sunak’s controversial Safety of Rwanda Bill, which would require MPs to declare that it’s a secure place to ship asylum seekers to.
The Home Office has been accused of “brushing aside” killings and human rights abuse, which it denies, saying Rwanda “cares deeply” about refugees. In an evaluation printed final week, Home Office officers stated Rwanda was a “relatively peaceful country with respect for the rule of law”. But they admitted there are “issues with its human rights record around political opposition to the current regime, dissent and free speech”. A UK Government report stated the capturing of refugees was an “isolated” incident, and stated violations are directed at Rwandans relatively than refugees.
A HRW response claims the Government’s coverage assertion “cherry picks facts” and “avoids some of the more serious human rights violations” in Rwanda. It stated: “Although Rwanda is a party to the UN Convention against Torture, unlawful detention and torture are rampant, particularly in unofficial detention facilities known as ‘safe houses.’
“Human Rights Watch often receives credible data from former prisoners about torture and in poor health therapy in Rwandan prisons, together with Nyarugenge (Mageragere) jail in Kigali, the place some have stated they’re being held in isolation and overwhelmed.”
It accuses the Home Office of glossing over a damning assessment of Rwanda’s human rights record by the US Statement. In a 2022 document, US officials said there are “vital human rights points” including “credible stories of illegal or arbitrary killings”. It also highlighted “torture or merciless, inhuman, or degrading therapy or punishment” by the government”. The State Department additional stated there was proof of “killings, kidnappings, and violence” directed at dissidents abroad.
The HRW report states: “The Rwandan government consistently fails to conduct effective investigations into allegations of extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, deaths in custody, arbitrary detention, torture and other ill-treatment, and ensure accountability or justice for victims. In many of these cases, the evidence points to the involvement of state security forces. This has created a climate of fear among the population and impunity among government officials.”
It factors to the suspicious dying in police custody of activist and singer Kizito Mihigo, who was discovered useless in his cell in 2020. Mr Mihigo had stated he was vulnerable to being killed by state brokers, HRW stated.
And addressing the deadly capturing of 12 refugees protesting cuts to meals allowances on the Kiziba camp, the evaluation stated: “Although there were no other incidents of the sort, it is perhaps more telling that since that brutal fatal crackdown, to the best of Human Rights Watch’s knowledge, no attempts have been made by refugees to organise protests. On the contrary, impunity for security forces, the National Human Rights Commission’s report covering up the abuse, and the prosecution and jailing of dozens of refugees involved in the protest sent a very stark warning against any further attempts to organize protests.”
It claimed that one particular person accused of sharing data with HRW was sentenced to fifteen years in jail. The UK Government has hit again at claims human rights issues are neglected, stating that the UN Refugee Agency has its personal scheme for refugees within the nation. The Home Office says it has labored with Rwandan authorities to deal with issues raised by the Supreme Court.
A Home Office spokeswoman stated:“We reject any suggestion that the UK is turning a blind eye to human rights issues. Rwanda is a safe country that cares deeply about supporting refugees. It hosts more than 135,000 asylum seekers and stands ready to relocate people and help them rebuild their lives.”