Tag: HomeNews

{{United Nations committee against torture has disrupted Canadian court process that seemed to rule the deportation of the 1994 Genocide suspect Leon Mugesera.}}

The Canadian government had decided to deport Mugesera to Rwanda to face justice for his possible role in the 1994 Genocide.

The United Nations Committee Against Torture requested that Canadian government should not deport Mugesera to allow it investigate his claims he’d be tortured in Rwanda.

His family also pleaded with the Canadian government to give the international body the time it needs to complete its investigations, which could take at least a couple of months.

“We implore Canada to respect its international obligations as demanded by the (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights on Jan. 11, 2012,” the family said in the short statement.

“Our argument is that if it has any meaning for Canada to ratify these international conventions, then they should wait instead of acting like cowboys,” Mugesera’s lawyer Philippe Larochelle said.

The federal government has disputed the warnings of possible torture, saying it has taken all necessary steps to ensure Mugesera would be treated fairly in Rwanda.

It has been reported that the Federal Court rejected Mugesera’s last-ditch effort to stay in Canada which has been his home for the last 19 years and he was set to be deported immediately.

Mugesera’s family says he is in critical condition in a Quebec City hospital, where he has spent a second straight day with an unspecified health issue.

Some media reports alleged that Mugesera could have ingested himself medication that made him ill Wednesday.

The family did not provide any further details about his condition.

Justice William Fraiberg ordered a stay of deportation until Jan. 20, when Mugesera’s lawyers are due back in court.

Mugesera was slated to be deported yesterday Thursday to face criminal charges related to the 1994 killing of over million Tutsi.

But the province’s Superior Court intervened, ordering a stay on his deportation order, to allow the legal evaluation of a prior request from the United Nations’ committee against torture.

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{{Independent investigations have been launched by relevant authorities to ascertain who is responsible to leave medical kits in the bedridden Zawadi Murekatete’s uterus for three years.}}

It is allegedly said that one medical personnel at Byumba District hospital operated Murekatete of Gihembe refugee camp three years ago and left gloves, cotton wools and a syringe in her abdomen.

“We cannot give the details now but we have started investigation over the allegations but am sure we will give you the findings once we complete the investigations,” Supt Theos Badege the police spokesman said.

It has been said that Murekatete could have lived with the medical kits inside her abdomen in a three-year pain till when the camp midwife intervened and requested for the patients transfer to Central University Hospital (CHUK) after observing that she may die.

“They had refused to give us transfer, my daughter succumbed to pain day and night, I begged them several times but they could not listen to me, they reached an extent of telling me that she had a tumor and asked to treat it till when they stopped tell that but changed and begun to tell me my daughter had mental problem, the deliberately refused to treat my daughter and I don’t know why,” Murekatete’s mother Collete Nyirabaruta narrated.

A medical personnel who realized the cause of the Murekatete’s pain, and removed the kits from her uterus say that it is not confirmed whether Byumba medical personnels could have left them in her uterus since she is said to mentally disturbed.

Byumba hospital director Fred Muhairwe had also alleged medical personnel at CHUK could have been responsible for the medical kits found in the Murekatete’s abdomen.

A report from the Rwanda Medical Council is also expected to avail circumstances surrounding the medical controversy.

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{{Haitians living in Rwanda are planning to have a commemoration week to remember their fallen citizens that died in earthquake now identified as one of the world’s disaster.}}

Speaking to IGIHE.com Margalie Germain a member of Haiti-Rwanda Commission (HRC) said that they have a meeting to a last meeting to discuss how to have a big organized event to commemorate those who deceased in January 12, 2010 earthquake.

On January 12, 2010 a magnitude of 7.0 earthquakes struck Haiti from an epicenter located 10 miles southwest of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

About 230,000 people were estimated dead, 2 million were also estimated displaced individuals in Haiti, 1.6 million displaced people have been put in settlements and 3 million populations are estimated affected.

“After the earthquake we thought of doing something to help survivors of the earthquake and also carried out fundraising in different places which was successful as generous Rwandans gave us a hand,” Germain said by cell phone.

“There is a lot we can thank Rwandan government, we are now living and working Rwanda, and some of our students have been given a scholarship in the University among others,” she added.

Germain said that their church St. Etienne in Biryogo will hold a commemoration service in their name on Sunday.

She said that a Haiti-Rwanda Commission was formed to see how Haitians can benefit from Rwanda in areas like culture exchange, leadership, education and good governance.

Germian added that technicians from Haitian government will be coming to learn good governance.

Didi Bertrand Farmer the chairman of Haiti-Rwanda Commission has expressed his gratitude to Rwandan people and Rwandan government for the support extended to Haitian people.

“I would like to take this opportunity to extend to the Government and Rwandese people its heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the support provided during difficult moments and for the commitment to walk with Haïti towards better days,” Farmer said.

As Haiti marks the 2 years anniversary of the earthquake, the Haïti-Rwanda Commission (HRC) continues to promote south-south cooperation between the 2 countries with the support of the Rwandan government.

Six Haitian students are currently studying in Rwanda and others are to come soon.

The commission is working in close collaboration with the Rwandese government to strengthen the relations through political and technical missions of Haitian officials in Rwanda.

This week marks the 2nd year anniversary of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that shook the Caribbean country Haiti; flattened the capital city Port-au-Prince and its surroundings areas.

In terms of accomplishments, 60% of the displaced people were relocated in their home regions 50% of rubbles removed.

A campaign has been launched to inform the population on new building norms that will prevent the occurrence of another catastrophe.

The process of rebuilding educational structures is also slow, but has nevertheless started with the construction of several primary and secondary schools as well as one university.

Beyond the construction or reconstruction of structures, the building of a stronger national health system is being considered.

The situations that have caused much delay are over 6 months long of political crisis and the outbreak of cholera epidemic that had affected 500,000 families and killed 7,000 by mid-December 2011.

Preceding the 2010 disaster and to date, the Government of Rwanda through the United Nations sent About 500 Policemen to Haiti who are deployed in different regions.

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{{Police in Rutsiro has arrested a 35 year old man identified as Damascene Bisima Muhindo for allegedly defiling a girl aged 9 years.}}

Muhindo is a step father to the victim.

Muhindo confessed to having committed the crime saying “I raped her when she fell asleep and her mother was not around.”

Clinical test results conducted at Rubavu Hospital confirmed assault against the young girl.

Police spokesman Theos Badege told IGIHE.com,”the Muhindo will be brought before justice.”

If found guilty, Muhindo is likely to get a life sentence.

{{Prime Minister, Pierre Damien HABUMUREMYI has hailed achievements made by Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB).}}

Habumuremyi on Tuesday toured 100 houses constructed at Gacuriro cell in Kinyinya sector, Gasabo district. He also visited a brick plant valued at Frw 7,000,000.

Kantengwa Angelique, the Director General of RSSB, explained that all the built houses have been already purchased.

She said, “All the houses have been bought and we shall effective May 2012 start constructing other houses including 100 low cost houses, 500 medium houses and 500 high-end houses.”

She also explained that a finished house costs Frw 69,000,000, and a client might pay in cash or in installments.

While paying in installments a client is required to first pay 30% and 70% after getting credits from the bank.

Willy Ndizeye, the Gasabo district Mayor said,“people are becoming victims in the land expropriations; the money they are given is little unable to facilitate acquisition of another plot.”

Habumuremyi instructed the director of cabinet, Barikana Eugene to deal with the problem suggesting land exchange instead of providing them only money.

The Mayor of Kigali city Fidele Ndayisaba promised to collaboration of city authorities in solving the problem of land titles.

{{The Minister of defense Gen. James Kabarebe on this Thursday, received the minister in charge of foreign affairs of Egypt.}}

The two discussed bilateral relationship between the two countries, both countries’ army cooperation and cooperation peacekeeping.

Speaking to IGIHE.com, Mohammed Kamel the Egyptian minister in charge of foreign affairs said that the two countries have good relationships particularly in their responsibility of peace keeping in different parts of the world.

He said: “we talked about and agreed on many things having in mind that our countries have a common responsibility of peace keeping and Egypt will stay in touch either by training or empower Rwandan army”

The Egyptian minister added that he has invited the Minister Gen. James Kabarebe to visit Egypt in terms of strengthening the relationship of the two countries.

The Rwandan army spokesman, col. Joseph Nzabamwita said that discussions between two ministers based on the relationship between the two countries and the plan to continue building peace.

Egypt is known to have contributed to peacekeeping in the countries like East Timor, Sierra Leone, Liberia and so on.

Rwanda also is since 2004, invloved in the global peace keeping beginning with peace keeping mission in Darfur-Sudan and Haiti.

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{{Minister of Health, Dr Agnes Binagwaho confirmed that new HIV Vaccines are currently trial has kicked off in Rwanda.}}

Researchers from Canada started the first phase of the clinical trials on 25 people with no infection.

This research is sponsored by The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative and in Rwanda it is implemented by San Francisco Project.

Dr Binagwaho told IGIHE.com via Twitter that this AIDS Vaccine has been started to be tried in Rwanda.

“Yes, we have a trial that has shown best adherence of participants. Sponsored by The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative and implemented by PSF,” Binagwaho noted.

Two categories of vaccines are in test in Rwanda, those are HIV MAG-IL12 and Ad35-GRIN-ENV in one trial.

The Press reports indicate that the vaccine is unique in that it uses a dead HIV-1 virus similar to vaccines used against polio and influenza and is genetically engineered to be non-pathogenic, meaning it won’t cause HIV in recipients.

Binagwaho added that Rwanda work hand in hand with partners to serve global science and global fight against.

“One benefit of the trial is having financial access to it when it is available, everyone in the world has to contribute at his/her level. This is how we would have full access.” said Minister of Health.

The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative works with individuals and organizations in developing countries to conduct epidemiological studies, social-science research, educational initiatives, voluntary counseling and testing consultations and capacity-building to ensure transparent and effective clinical trial processes.

Partners include the Kenya AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Rwanda’s Project San Francisco and the Uganda Virus Research Institute.

Seventy five people are in test where each country has 25 people.

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{{Police is hunting for Niyoniringiye Ezekiel a pastor of Methodist church located at Kacyiru, for having cheated children whom he had promised to support.}}

Ezekiel Niyoniringiye known as pastor had promised to support 290 vulnerable children by providing them school fees and other school materials.

To benefit from this, a child should register with Frw 5,000 paid to the bank account or taken to their office located at Karambo cell, Gatenga Sector, Kicukiro district.

Police has already arrested Muragijimana Regina who was the accountant of the Rwanda Youth Work Cooperation, the association founded by Ezekiel for the support program.

Muragijimana Regina, speaking to IGIHE.com said, “Nsengimana Jean Claude told me that we are working for the pastor but since my beginning I have never seen him.”

Ezekiel Niyoniringiye is pursued together with Nsengiyumva they have been working together.

The police spokesman urges citizens to be vigilant and report suspicious projects to Police.

{{Bugesera district authorities have cautioned against illegal fishing at Ririma River following an increase in crocodile attacks at the river.}}

On Tuesday Valens Ndayambaje was attacked by a crocodile while fetching water, he sustained serious injuries and he is being nursed at a nearby health center.

Illegal fishemen are known to fish without boats as a way to hide their identity yet camouflaging make them prone to crocodile bites.

Those legally registered and working in cooperatives are safer because they have sophisticated boats and move in large numbers hence making it easier to protect themselves.

Jean Pierre Gasaba the executive secretary of Kimaranzara sector bordering the river advised residents to be alert while fetching water at the river.

He condemned an attitude of greed for quick money seen in illegal fishermen, who go to the river without protective measures and also sell the fish without paying tax.

It’s hard for illegal fishermen to keep off the shores given the lucrative nature of the business. “I and my friend generate more than Frw 20,000 before noon every day,” said Emmanuel Bisengimana.

Barthazar Hicuburundi who is weary of the crocodiles said, “Yes the money is easy and quick but our lives are at risk, we work under Gods grace or else we could have died long ago like some of our friends. Our families are always ready for bad news,” he remarked.