IGIHE

Author: IGIHE

  • NGOs in the UN and Religious Leaders Demand Correction on Repression and Violation of Human Rights against Religion in Korea

    11 NGOs including European Coordination of Associations and Individuals for Freedom of Conscience (CAP-LC) submitted a report for “annual report for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights” to the UN Secretary-General at the 44th session in the UN Assembly Human Rights Council. The report is titled “scapegoating members of Shincheonji for COVID-19 in the Republic of Korea.”

    By referring to the report from the United States of America Commission of International Religious Freedom, the report to the UN said, “Shincheonji was suffering harassment from the South Korean government and society. Although some government measures appeared to be driven by legitimate public health concerns, others appeared to exaggerate the church’s role in the outbreak.”

    “The government of Seoul locked down Shincheonji churches in the capital and some mainline Protestant groups have accused the church of deliberately spreading the disease,” it continued.

    The report stated, “The virus cannot be an excuse to violate human rights and religious liberty of hundreds of thousands of believers. Intolerance, violence, and discrimination against Shincheonji should be put to an end.”

    Religious communities initiated to issue statements to advocate improvements in the unequal treatment against Shincheonji.
    Letter of Swami Vedanand Saraswati
    “I implore the South Korean Government and other relevant authorities to immediately drop all charges and lawsuits and rather support the efforts of the Shincheonji Church in encouraging other recoverees to donate their plasma” said Swami Vedanand Saraswati, Spiritual Head of Arya Samaj South Africa.

    “Although many Countries in Africa continent where I live are practicing similar oppression to all institutions, a developed country like South Korea is unbelievable to practice such an old System left for undeveloped Countries. Parliament, Government and International Community shouldn’t only put an Eye but to react for both sides Wing and Wing agreement to end suffering.” said Mr. Aleu Goi Dimo, CEO of Supporting Volunteers Community Based Organization in South Sudan.

    Recently, Chairman Lee of Shincheonji Church of Jesus encouraged the members who recovered from the COVID-19 to voluntarily join in the donation of plasma. Around 4,000 recovered members said they are willing to donate plasma for research on a new treatment.

    He said that there has been political motives in the persecution of Shincheonji Church of Jesus and HWPL (a peace NGO) by “using us (Shincheonji), the victims of COVID-19, as their scapegoat in order to hide their own faults.” He added, “Persecuting peace organizations, religious organizations, and violating human rights must be stopped in Korea.”
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  • ESP launches covid-19 recovery and resilience program for small and medium enterprises in tourism and hospitality in Rwanda

    The Komeza program, with Equity Bank Rwanda PLC as the financing partner, will provide the right combination of financial support and technical assistance to 120 SMEs, at all stages of maturity, plus their value chains, within the Tourism and Hospitality sector. The program has been established through a commitment of US$2.5 million from the MasterCard Foundation COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program.

    While the Government of Rwanda continues to do the important work of managing the public health crisis, it is clear that the economic and social impact will be far reaching. In addition, the Government of Rwanda re-opened tourism activities across the country, promoting domestic tourism as global travel restarts with commercial flights expected to resume on 1st August.

    Rwanda Development Board’s Chief Tourism Officer, Belise Kariza said, “Rwanda’s tourism industry is adapting to create a safe environment for travelers and operators, in order to thrive in these unprecedented times. We are working with the health authorities to ensure all tourism activities resume seamlessly. The Government of Rwanda is committed to supporting private sector growth in the middle to long term.”

    Over the next year, the Komeza program will provide technical assistance and financing of up to US$50,000 per SME with support from Equity Bank Rwanda PLC.

    Incubation support will be provided to 60 start-ups through ESP’s Tourism Inc program and 50 established SMEs will benefit from the Komeza accelerator program.

    A further 10 businesses will be selected for the program through a special innovation stream that will focus on building and financing growth plans to increase their resilience and mitigate the impact of the crisis. The SMEs and start-ups participating in the Komeza program will receive technical assistance, access to grants, and guidance on debt restructuring.

    “At ESP, our programs are built to deploy the right mix of technical tools and financing to support entrepreneurs on their journey to sustainability. We understand the challenges faced by entrepreneurs and have designed the Komeza program to help them navigate this pandemic while continuing to grow their business,” said Charity Kabango ESP, Co- Founder and Director.

    Tourism has been identified as a priority sector for Rwanda to achieve its development goals. It is also one of the sectors that has been hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mastercard Foundation COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Program will expand access to financial services for micro, small, and medium enterprises, so that businesses can withstand the economic effects of the pandemic.

    “It will be a long road for entrepreneurs as they fight to recover from the COVID-19 crisis. We are committed to supporting them every step of the way with the tools and resources they need to stay in business. We believe that the right combination of financial support and technical assistance will be key to helping these entrepreneurs, not only survive the crisis, but thrive beyond it and emerge resilient,” said Rica Rwigamba, Country Head, Rwanda at the Mastercard Foundation.

    “We will continue to offer competitive financing solutions, with a dedicated and qualified team to support businesses for resilience and growth,” added Hannington Namara, Managing Director, Equity Bank Rwanda.

    As a young woman entrepreneur in the Tourism and Hospitality sector, a program like Tourism Inc. is invaluable to acquire the important skills and knowledge to help grow my business despite the current climate,” said Peace Umutoni, a participant in the Tourism Inc. program.

    ESP will be hosting an online information session on July 30, 2020 to provide interested Tourism and Hospitality entrepreneurs with further details on the program. Please click here to apply bit.ly/KOMEZA . More information on the session and on the program will be available on the ESP website: espartners.co. You can also reach out to us via email on komeza@espartners.co and through social media using the following handles: IG: @thisiskomeza FB: @thisiskomeza
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  • EABC mourns Mkapa

    President Mkapa was a signatory to the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community on 30th November, 1999, alongside their Excellencies Late President Daniel Moi (Republic of Kenya) and Yoweri Museveni (Republic of Uganda).

    H.E. Mkapa will be remembered as a Pan Africanist, one of the founding fathers of the East African Community who championed for the revival of regional integration.

    He was an astute advocate for the growth of the regional private sector and was particularly instrumental in fast-tracking the EAC Customs Union Protocol and Common Market. His towering legacy in effecting social and economic policies that boosted intra- EAC trade and augmented the vital role of the private sector as the engine for social-economic growth, reigns on.

    Mkapa played a pivotal role in enforcing harmonised regional trade policies that saw a reduction in non-tariff barriers, sparking an increase in the volumes of intra-regional trade.

    H.E. Mkapa’s vibrant leadership was not only reflected in his efficacy in calming regional trade disputes but also in brokering regional peace dialogues that created a conducive business environment in Africa.

    20 years since the revival of the EAC, his vision for regional integration continues to live on. The business community will vanguard his vision for the prosperity of our beloved EAC region.

    Dr. Peter Mathuki, Executive Director /Chief Executive Officer
    East African Business Council (EABC)
    9th Floor Mafao House | Old Moshi Road | Arusha | Tanzania
    P. O. Box 2617 | Tel: +255 27 2520162
    Email: admin@eabc-online.com I Website: eabc.info
    EABC – The Voice of the Private Sector in East Africa
    H.E. Mkapa will be remembered as a Pan Africanist, one of the founding fathers of the East African Community who championed for the revival of regional integration.

  • Japan disburses USD 28 million to support nutrition improvement in Rwanda through agriculture transformation

    On August 16, 2019, the Governments of Japan and Rwanda agreed on Sector Policy Loan for Nutrition Improvement through Agricultural Transformation of USD 93 million to assist Rwanda’s effort to tackle stunting. In the Loan Agreement signed between Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN), the trigger -based disbursement of the loan has been subdivided into three tranches of 40 %, 30% and 30% to be received over three years. The first tranche equivalent to 40% (36 Million USD) was subsequently disbursed in December 2019.

    Mr. MARUO Shin, Chief Representative of JICA Rwanda Office, appreciated the concerned ministries and agencies of the GoR in achieving the agreed policy actions related to the above disbursement in timely manner, despite challenges faced in the course of implementation, posed by COVID-19 global pandemic. This disbursement is timely because it would assist the GoR in mainstreaming “Nutrition” during the COVID-19 pandemic period when many urban and rural households are suffering from malnutrition.

    Despite substantial growth in agricultural production over the past 10 years, food security and nutrition remain concerns, especially looking at the vulnerability to shocks at the household level. A large share of the population remains dependent on rain-fed and subsistence agriculture. Some staple food production remains below the targeted demand for domestic consumption and is substituted by importation.

    Maintaining a healthy diet is vital during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to FAO, a healthy diet supports a strong immune system, while good nutrition is very important before, during and after an infection.

    The Program targets 12 Districts with highest stunting rates; namely Rutsiro, Rubavu, Burera, Nyaruguru, Ngororero, Nyamagabe, Nyamasheke, Gakenke, Gisagara, Gicumbi, Musanze and Ngoma District. At a decentralized level, the program has started to fill food nutrient gap in each target district and suitable nutritious crop has been identified and being promoted for production.

    Other components include making crop calendars for irrigation schemes, and nutrition public awareness campaigns. The program is expected to have a big impact in eradicating undernutrition and fighting against stunting.
    Japan disburses USD 28 million to support nutrition improvement in Rwanda through agriculture transformation

  • Revenue Protection Unit breaks smuggling ring

    The goods, including 23 bales of secondhand clothes and about 250kgs of used shoes, were impounded on Wednesday July 22, from ten smugglers in Rubavu Sector, Buhaza cell in Murambi village.

    The smugglers were also taken into custody.

    Other goods intercepted from the smugglers include liquors, powdered milk, traditional fabric commonly known as kitenge, cooking flavours, boxes of cigarettes as well as products banned in Rwanda including plastic bags and body bleaching lotions and glycerine.

    Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Bonaventure Twizere Karekezi, the Police spokesperson for the Western region, said that earlier on Wednesday, the RPU received credible information from an informer about a big group of smugglers that would sneak goods into the country later in the night from DRC, through an illegal border point.

    “Operations were organized and ten people belonging to the same ring, were arrested at about 9:30 PM with the smuggled goods.

    Six of the smugglers were at the time crossing into Rwanda with the goods. Other goods were recovered from houses of four suspects, who are said to be facilitating smugglers to keep or hide their goods before they are transported to the final destination,” CIP Karekezi said.

    “The intercepted smuggled goods include 23 bales of ‘caguwa’ and 250kgs of used shoes, 1,434 assorted pieces of banned skin bleaching products, 12 bottles of Red Label, 200 tins of Salsa, five cartons of cigarettes and six cartons of outlawed non-biodegradable polythene bags, among others,” he added

    The spokesperson said that they are still searching for the owners of the goods since those arrested allege that they were either hired to smuggle the goods across the border or paid to use their houses as stores.

    “All the suspects have also been quarantined for 14 days before other legal processes. This is to ensure that if they got infected with COVID-19 during the unlawful process, they don’t infect others.”

    CIP Karekezi thanked the resident, who facilitated the foiling of this fraud, which would otherwise see banned and harmful products brought in the markets.

    He warned communities residing on the border lines against facilitating fraud and other criminal activities like drug trafficking, and called for strengthened information sharing on anyone involved.

    “These are unlawful activities, but we are also in a fragile period where such criminal actions can also be the source of COVID-19.

    Remember that these people coming to your home delivering goods or crossing borders and living in your community; they could also bring the virus in your house and the village,” CIP Karekezi said.

  • 940 liters of illicit brew disposed of in Eastern Province

    The substances were impounded from five distillers and sellers, who were also taken into custody.

    Munyampeta Jean Baptiste, 41, and Eugenie Niwemugeni, 37, were arrested in Tabagwe Sector in Nyagatare with 420 liters of illicit brew locally known as magwingi.

    In Kayonza District, Ndego sector, Joseph Bihoyiki, 35, was also arrested with 40 liters of magwingi; in Ngoma, Jean de Dieu Batangimana, 50, was apprehended in Mutendeli Sector with 120 liters of an illicit drink called Viki while in Gashanda, also in Ngoma, one Varene Nyirabagenzi was caught with 360 liters of Ibikwangari.

    The Police spokesperson of the Eastern region, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana said that these are “continuous operations against illegal distilleries, which also produce psychotropic substances as well as dealers in these harmful drinks.”

    “It is not the first time these operations have been conducted; they have been going on for a while now, targeting mainly producers, traffickers and sellers in local bars. These are substances that pose health-related threats to consumers, causing security challenges in one way or another,” CIP Twizeyimana said.

    He thanked the residents for the continued partnership adding that these successful operations are based on credible information from the people.

    “Producers have no license, they operate in unhygienic places, use prohibited and harmful raw materials.”

    For any distillery to operate, it must have a license and a Standard Mark (S-Mark) issued by Rwanda Standards Board (RSB).

    RSB also specifies that “only food grade processing aids recognized as safe for human consumption shall be used during the manufacture.”

    Other standard requirements include labeling as a prerequisite; the name of the products, physical and postal address of manufacturer; net contents in milliliters or liters; ethyl alcohol content; date of manufacture and expiry date; storage instruction; statutory warnings; and list of ingredients in descending order.

    All drinks with alcoholic content above 45 percent or with unknown alcoholic content are considered as “psychotropic substance.”

    Illicit substances are classified as “simple drugs” under article 263 of law determining offences and penalties in general in Rwanda, with an imprisonment of between seven and 20 years, upon conviction.

  • Tanzania former president Benjamin Mkapa dead

    Mkapa, the East African nation’s third president who led several regional peace mediation efforts in office and afterward, died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Dar es Salaam, Magufuli said, without giving more details.

    He declared a seven day mourning period, during which all flags will be flown at half-mast.

    “Magufuli asks all Tanzanians to remain calm, patient, and united during this difficult time,” a statement from his office said.

    Mkapa, 81, also served as an ambassador, minister, and key official of the ruling CCM party, Magufuli said.
    Tanzania's former President Benjamin Mkapa, who served from 1995 to 2005, died in the early hours of Friday,

  • Suspected impersonator arrested defrauding resident

    Jean Pierre Mbonyumugenzi, 34, was arrested red-handed in Nasho Sector, Rubirizi Cell receiving Rwf170, 000 from the would-be victim.

    Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) Hamdun Twizeyimana, the Police spokesperson of the Eastern region, said that the would-be victim recently lost a court case involving two men, who had allegedly stolen his bicycle.

    “After the suspected thieves were acquitted, they brought Mbonyumugenzi into the equation to defraud the resident,” CIP Twizeyimana explained.

    He added: “Mbonyumugenzi started calling the resident and introduced himself as a judge at the same court where he lost the case. He demanded Rwf300, 000 to handle his case and to bring the suspects to book.”

    They agreed that the resident pays Rwf170, 000 upfront and the rest after the ruling.

    “This prompted the resident to report the matter to the Police. Law enforcement organs and the would-be victim worked together to arrest Mbonyumugenzi in the act receiving the money,” the spokesperson said.

    After his arrest, Mbonyumugenzi indeed admitted that he was working with the two men, whom the would-be victim had sued for allegedly stealing his bicycle.
    CIP Twizeyimana explained that law enforcement agencies are working together to locate and arrest the accomplices.

    He thanked the resident for saying no to corruption and bribery in particular, which saved him from falling prey and ensuring that one of the conmen is arrested.

    Mbonyumugenzi was handed over to Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) in Nasho.
    Clause One of article 174 of the law determining offences and penalties in general, defines fraud as deception, obtaining another person’s property, whole or part of his/her finance by use of false names or qualifications, or offering positive promises or threats of future misfortunes.

    Clause Two of the same article provides a term of imprisonment of between two and three years, and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million but not more than Rwf5 million, upon conviction.

    In article 276, anyone convicted for impersonation faces an imprisonment term of not less than five (5) years but not more than seven (7) years and a fine of not less than Rwf3 million and not more than Rwf5 million or only one of these penalties.

  • Commonwealth launches Get Safe Online Campaign in Rwanda

    This Campaign in Rwanda comes at the heels of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and lockdown, where people globally are relying on online technology more than ever.

    In implementing the Campaign in Rwanda, Get Safe Online will work with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation and the Rwanda Information Society Authority (RISA).

    According to the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of ICT and Innovation; Mr. Yves Iradukunda, “the Get Safe Online Campaign is a welcome addition to ongoing efforts to promote online safety in Rwanda. Given the government’s continued efforts of smart governance and services digitization, cybersecurity awareness is important for both public servants and the private sector.”

    Peter Davies, the Global Ambassador of Get Safe Online states that, “the aim of the Campaign is to raise awareness of risks and safety measures which will protect people from online security risks.

    These risks include phishing scams, identity theft, ransomware, malware, viruses and other online threats. The services are fully funded and don’t require any resources from those who use it. Working together with our local partners in Rwanda, we look forward to building awareness on the importance of online safety in an ever-changing digital world.”

    The Get Safe Online Campaign in Rwanda aims to raise awareness on the importance of staying safe online, and will comprise collectively of:

    1. A locally presented, freely accessible website (www.getsafeonline.org.rw) in both English and Kinyarwanda with comprehensive information on online safety and cybersecurity. A Kinyarwanda version of the Get Safe Online Rwanda website will be available by the beginning of September.

    2. Locally driven awareness and promotional campaigns, highlighting the most prevalent and highest cyber risks.

    3. Capacity building to ensure continued advocacy for online safety, through an advocacy scheme enabling local people to deliver workshops within their organizations and communities, under the training, mentoring, guidance of Get Safe Online experts and local partners.

    According to Innocent Bagamba Muhizi, CEO of RISA, “as we continue to conduct our businesses online, we are susceptible to cybersecurity breaches partly due to lack of awareness.

    The aim of this Campaign as we collaborate with our partners Get Safe Online and the Ministry of ICT and Innovation, is to build increased awareness of all Rwandan citizens and residents about cybersecurity issues. By the end of the Campaign, we hope that every citizen will have a good understanding of how to avoid being a victim of these breaches. Specific efforts will be put into ensuring the safety of our children as they continue to study and learn online.”

    Get Safe Online is a non-profit organization based in the UK, which has been providing free, accessible, high-quality public education and awareness services about online risks since 2005. Get Safe Online works alongside Her Majesty’s Government, law enforcement agencies, regulators, and private sector organizations in the technology, communications, retail, and finance sector.

    The organization has established an excellent and trusted reputation among the cybersecurity community and the public. More recently, supported by the UK Commonwealth Cybersecurity Programme, Get Safe Online has been providing the same high-quality services in the 12 Caribbean countries that are part of the Commonwealth of Nations.

    For more information, contact: Get Safe Online Rwanda Secretariat

    Tel: 0788543750 / 0788818876 / 0787660752

    Email: security@risa.gov.rw, info@blueoceans.rw & getsafeonlinerw@gmail.com

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  • Compliance with the directives is not optional, says Police

    CP Kabera was speaking on Monday, July 20, during a press conference to assess and discuss COVID-19 national response efforts in the last four months, held at Kigali Convention Centre.

    The press conference brought together the Ministers; Dr. Daniel Ngamije of Health, Prof. Anastase Shyaka of Local Government, Soraya Hakuziyaremye of Trade and Industry as well as RNP represented by its spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera.

    CP Kabera commended the role of the public in compliance and partnership in enforcement through information sharing on violators.

    He gave an insight into the enforcement in the past four months, which was largely defined by awareness on the directives and safety practices through social media and other media channels, public communication system mounted on Police vehicles as well as drones which targeted markets, trading centers, and residential areas.

    “We are happy that the majority of people were responsive by supporting the enforcement in one way or another, including those who continue to give us information on violators. Nonetheless, we still see some individuals, who violate the directives especially motorists,” said CP Kabera.

    “Police doesn’t get tired neither does it get annoyed. If you think that we will give up then you are lying to yourself; It is one thing to violate the directives and worse still undermine instructions by Police officers enforcing the directives; you will be arrested,” he warned.

    RNP, last week published a list of 498 motorists, who violated the curfew and disregarded instructions by officers enforcing the curfew to go to allocated centers, thereby driving or riding away. The force called all those on the list to voluntarily come forward.

    “Those who have come forward, well and good; those who have not are advised to do so because they will be located and arrested if they don’t heed the call.”
    CP Kabera reminded the public that the pandemic neither has legs nor wings, but is spread by people.

    He added that having a positive mind and individual safer choices of #NtabeAriNjye (It shouldn’t be me) wherever you emphasize the aspect of individual responsibility to adopt safety practices and to prevent further spread of the virus.

    He further warned those who breach the directives or spread rumors with intent to tarnish the image of RNP that it won’t affect the Police duties, but rather legal actions will be taken against such individuals.

    The Minister of Health, Dr. Daniel Ngamije reiterated the impact of the national good governance, health, and security systems in responding to the pandemic effectively.

    So far, 1582 COVID-19 cases have been detected in Rwanda.

    Dr. Ngamije said that the government has increased the number of testing laboratories to five in different parts of the country with the capacity to carry out about 4000 tests daily, up from one lab four months ago, which had the capacity to carry out only 300 tests per day.

    Minister Shyaka observed that the governance system played an invaluable role in bringing institutions together to professionally handle the situation.

    He commended the impact of security organs and youth volunteers for the “sacrifice and bravery without fear of getting infected.”

    He warned against operating bars, which are still closed in this period, as well as churches that go against the set guidelines.

    “It is one thing to be granted permission to open for prayer services, but another to ensure that the guidelines are adhered to at all times, which can lead to closure once the church or mosque is found violating the safety guidelines,” said Minister Shyaka.

    In her part, Minister Soraya reiterated the ill-effects of the pandemic on the economy, which hit the tourism sector, transport, and the aviation industry as well as cross-border trade.

    Although the agriculture sector was affected by 3% and exports hit by 16%, Minister Soraya said that the government ensured that people in Rwanda are not cheated on the local market by setting prices and monitoring compliance.

    At least 254 traders in Kigali were penalized for inflating prices and cheating customers in this period of the pandemic.
    RNP spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera commended the role of the public in compliance and partnership in enforcement through information sharing on violators.