{{Amnesty International has asked the Government to conclude a review of its genocide ideology laws which were created to silence critics, it said on Friday.
\n}}<\/p>\n
In a new report titled “Unsafe to speak out: Restrictions on freedom of expression in Rwanda”, Amnesty said \u2018genocide ideology’ and \u2018sectarianism’ laws were being used to suppress political dissent and stifle freedom of speech. However, Government quickly rebuffed the claims in a media statement.<\/p>\n
According to International Business Times, Amnesty said it urged supporters to call on the Rwandan authorities “to allow opposition politicians, journalists, human rights defenders and others to express their views, including legitimate criticism of government policies, without fear for their safety.”<\/p>\n
It said they should also urge the authorities “to accelerate the review of the \u2018genocide ideology’ law and the 2009 media law to bring them in line with Rwanda’s obligations under international human rights law.”<\/p>\n
The Government rejected the human rights group’s report.<\/p>\n
“Freedom of expression is guaranteed by the constitution of Rwanda,” the government said in a statement.<\/p>\n
“We have a vibrant and growing media community and varied political discourse but once again, Amnesty International has chosen to misrepresent reality in an inaccurate and highly partisan report.”<\/p>\n
President Paul Kagame has won praise for restoring stability after the 1994 genocide and promoting economic growth through reforms encouraging investment. But critics say his government is intolerant of dissent.<\/p>\n
Earlier this year another rights group, Human Rights Watch, also said the Rwandan government was using the judicial system to stifle criticism.<\/p>\n
Amnesty said in its report that the \u2018genocide ideology’ laws contravene Rwanda’s regional and international human rights obligations and commitments.<\/p>\n
“Even judges, the professionals charged with applying the law, noted that the law was broad and abstract,” it said<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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