{The UK has called on the Rwandan government to lift its ban on BBC radio broadcasts in the country\u2019s most common language, imposed in protest against the news organisation\u2019s documentary about the 1994 genocide.}<\/p>\n
A Foreign office spokesperson said that the UK government \u201crecognises the hurt caused in Rwanda by some parts of the documentary\u201d, but it was \u201cconcerned\u201d by the move to suspend the BBC\u2019s FM broadcasts and hold an official investigation.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe UK believes that a free and vibrant media has an important role to play in any democracy,\u201d said the spokesman. \u201cFollowing the broadcast in October of a BBC documentary about the Rwandan genocide, the Rwandan authorities suspended the BBC\u2019s Kinyarwanda service and launched an inquiry. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe UK recognises the hurt caused in Rwanda by some parts of the documentary, but is concerned by this decision, and urges the Rwanda government to allow the BBC to resume its broadcasts as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n
The comments came as the Foreign Office published its Human Rights and Democracy Report 2014, which included a case study on Rwanda that focused on concerns about freedom of association and expression.<\/p>\n
The report said it \u201cnoted with concern\u201d the forced cancellation of talk shows on Isango Star and Contact FM, and the arrest of two journalists from Salus Radio in 2014. <\/p>\n
However, it said it \u201cwelcomed\u201d the arrest and trial of two police officers in connection with the July 2013 murder of anti-corruption activist Gustave Makonene, who worked for Transparency International.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, a Rwandan inquiry urged the country\u2019s government to take criminal action against the BBC over the documentary, Rwanda\u2019s Untold Story, broadcast on BBC2 on 1 October 2014.<\/p>\n
The report, by a committee of the government-appointed Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Agency, said the documentary had made \u201ca litany of claims and assertions\u201d that \u201cviolate Rwandan law, the BBC\u2019s own ethical guidelines and limitations to press freedom\u201d. It also accused the film of \u201cminimising and denying genocide\u201d.<\/p>\n
Claiming that it had \u201cserious evidence of criminal offences\u201d, the committee urged the government to \u201cinitiate criminal and civil processes\u201d. It said the government should terminate its agreement with the BBC, which allows the corporation to broadcast on FM.<\/p>\n
A BBC spokesperson said: \u201cWe are extremely disappointed by the findings of this commission. While we do not yet know the full implications for the BBC in Rwanda, we stand by our right to produce the independent journalism which has made us the world\u2019s most trusted news source.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe documentary Rwanda\u2019s Untold Story, which was produced by a current affairs team in London and broadcast only in the UK, is currently going through the BBC\u2019s robust editorial complaints process. This process has not yet concluded, but the provisional findings are that the documentary does not breach the BBC\u2019s editorial standards.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe strongly reject any suggestion that any part of this documentary constitutes genocide denial.\u201d<\/p>\n
In late October last year, the Rwandan government suspended FM services by BBC Gahuza, which broadcasts to the country and neighbour Burundi in their most common language, Kinyarwanda. However, the BBC service \u2013 staffed by journalists based in London and the two African countries \u2013 is still available to a limited number of Rwandans via the internet. <\/p>\n
Rwanda\u2019s Untold Story sparked controversy by suggesting President Paul Kagame may have had a hand in shooting down his predecessor\u2019s plane, a crash that triggered the mass killings.<\/p>\n
Source: The Guardian<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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