(RSF/IFEX) – In a 13 February 1998 letter, RSF protested the ill treatment of two imprisoned journalists, Dominique Makeli and Amiel Nkuliza. According to RSF’s information, on 6 February, Nkuliza and Makeli were severely beaten in Kimironko prison (Kigali), where they are being held. They were beaten by persons who came from outside the prison. […]
(RSF/IFEX) – In a 13 February 1998 letter, RSF protested the ill treatment
of two imprisoned journalists, Dominique Makeli and Amiel Nkuliza. According
to RSF’s information, on 6 February, Nkuliza and Makeli were severely beaten
in Kimironko prison (Kigali), where they are being held. They were beaten
by persons who came from outside the prison.
**Updates IFEX alerts of 9 February 1998 (Makeli and Nkuliza), and 6
February 1995 and 12 December 1994 (Makeli)**
Background Information
Makeli, a journalist with the state-owned Radio Rwanda, was arrested on 18
September 1994. He was accused of inciting racial hatred on Radio Rwanda.
Nevertheless, according to some witnesses, his arrest may have happened
after he protested against his house being occupied by military men.
Nkuliza, director of the privately-owned weekly “Le Partisan”, was arrested
on 13 May 1997 in Kigali. According to his own statements, the journalist
may be accused of inciting ethnic hatred in his writing. Nkuliza had
previously been arrested in June and August 1997. During his detention, a
soldier warned him that his life would be in danger if he wrote other
stories considered “subversive” by the authorities (see IFEX alerts).
Recommended Action
Send appeals to Rwandan authorities:
are asking Rwandan authorities to use their authority to ensure that full
light is shed on this serious incident, and that the culprits are punished
asking to be informed of the official charges against Amiel Nkuliza
Appeals To
Monsieur Pasteur Bizimungu
President
Palais de la presidence
Kigali, Rwanda
Fax: +250 7 2904 (via Ministry of Foreign Affairs)Please copy appeals to the source and to:
Prime Minister
Kigali, RwandaMinister of Defense
Ministry of Defense
Kigali, RwandaMinister of Information
Ministry of Information
Kigali, RwandaDirector
Office rwandais de l’Information
Kigali, RwandaMinister of the Interior
Ministry of the Interior
Kigali, Rwanda
