Rwanda

During a review of his case, Rwandan journalist Dieudonné Niyonsenga describes the inhumane conditions he has been held under and how he was frequently beaten.

Investigative journalist John Williams Ntwali, who was a fearless voice of victims of human rights violations in Rwanda and a government critic, died in a mysterious car crash according to police.

Broadcast journalist Floriane Irangabiye is sentenced to 10 years in prison on spurious charge of “endangering the integrity of the national territory”.

Rwanda-based Burundian journalist Floriane Irangabiye is arrested by police upon her return to her home country; although she has not been formally charged, she is accused of working with armed opposition groups and espionage.

Rwandese and Congolese journalists commit to engaging in best practices, to counter the increase in hate speech and spread of disinformation in volatile border conflict.

The journalists have been charged with spreading false information with the intention of creating a hostile international opinion of Rwanda, publishing unoriginal statements or pictures, and inciting insurrection, according to CPJ.

The 7-year jail sentence and 4,280 Euro fine slapped on YouTuber Dieudonné Niyonsenga by Rwanda’s High Court has been described as ‘absurd” by RSF.

The arrest of Rwandan journalist Théoneste Nsengimana and nine opposition party officials points to an intensified crackdown by government on dissent.

Rwandan journalist Dieudonné Niyonsenga and media worker Fidèle Komezusenge, initially arrested for allegedly flouting COVID-19 regulations, have been acquitted after 11 months behind bars.

There was a clarion call by countries across regions for Rwanda to end torture and ill-treatment, and investigate cases of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, and deaths in custody, during Rwanda’s recent Universal Periodic Review process.

A new regulation by Rwanda’s National Electoral Commission (NEC) requires all candidates in August’s presidential elections to seek approval for campaign messages they plan to post online.

Rwanda’s lack of tolerance for political dissent is well known. But those who oppose having their land taken away are also finding out the government has little patience for opposing views.

People close to Illuminée Iragena believe she was unlawfully detained and tortured, and there are unconfirmed reports that she may have died. Human Rights Watch has been unable to verify this information, but is concerned about her fate and well-being, and about the lack of information on her whereabouts.

The Media Foundation for West Africa recalls the deadly role played by the media in the 1994 Rwandan genocide, and urges journalists to report responsibly and refrain from spreading hate speech.