Umurungi was speaking in an exclusive interview with IGIHE about the recommendations made by Rwanda parliament last year which included calling upon the government to suspend all agreements and partnership with Human Rights Watch.
The agreements between Rwanda and HRW had been signed in June 29th 2016 and expired March 29th 2017.
In July 2017, HRW released a report which was dubbed ‘All Thieves must be killed’ accusing Rwanda’s security agencies of killing 37 civilians in Western Rwanda in 2016.
However, Rwanda’s National Human Rights Commission denounced the report and released own report saying that some of those who were reported dead were still alive and others died of natural causes.
While presenting the Rwanda’s human rights commission report to parliament, the chairperson Madeleine Nirere said that the report by HRW was filled with falsehoods.
The parliamentarians recommended the government to review agreements with HRW so that they stop the organization from continuing to tarnish the government’s image. Parliament gave the government 30 days to have responded.
The parliament had also asked the government to support people who were reported to have been killed, but still alive to take HRW to court.
Umurungi said that the government has responded in a letter to parliament announcing that they will not renew agreements with HRW.
“The decision that has been taken is that the government found that there is no reason to renew agreements, given the poor working conditions that preceded the signing of agreements. We have established that HRW activities do not protect human rights, rather they have political interests behind,” she said.
She added that the 2017 report was launched when HRW was not allowed to operate in Rwanda.
She said that they have not received HRW’s letter requesting to renew agreements. According to Umurungi, some sources say that HRW agents pass through embassies seeking help to renew the agreements.
The agreements required that when HRW staff are carrying out investigations, they should discuss with the ministry of justice on findings before publishing.
The government also informed parliament that there are different human rights organisations that they will work with.
Umurungi said that Rwanda will not take HRW to court.
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