(RSF/IFEX) – The Ugandan editor of the independent, privately-owned weekly “Rwanda Herald” was deported by the Rwandan authorities on 19 May 2002. RSF has written to Rwandan Interior Minister Jean de Dieu Ntiruhungwa to condemn the decision. “According to numerous local observers, this deportation is linked to the ‘Rwanda Herald”s publication of articles which are […]
(RSF/IFEX) – The Ugandan editor of the independent, privately-owned weekly “Rwanda Herald” was deported by the Rwandan authorities on 19 May 2002. RSF has written to Rwandan Interior Minister Jean de Dieu Ntiruhungwa to condemn the decision. “According to numerous local observers, this deportation is linked to the ‘Rwanda Herald”s publication of articles which are critical of the regime in Kigali. We would like the Rwandan authorities to clarify the matter,” said RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard. “This journalist has been living in Rwanda since 1994 and we do not understand why he has suddenly been deported, for no apparent reason,” he added.
According to information gathered by RSF, Asuman Bisiika, editor of the “Rwanda Herald”, was escorted to the Ugandan border on 19 May by Rwandan police. The journalist was given 10 minutes to collect his belongings before being handed over to the Ugandan border guards.
The “Rwanda Herald” had been particularly critical of the Rwandan authorities in recent weeks, notably publishing a number of articles concerning the arrest of Pasteur Bizimungu, the country’s former president, who is currently in prison in Kigali, accused of threatening state security and inciting racial hatred. Just a few days before the editor’s arrest, the “Rwanda Herald” also published an article criticising Rwanda’s immigration policy.
RSF recalls that President Paul Kagame is included on the organisation’s list of 38 international press freedom predators.
