On the evening of 29 January 1995, an attempt was made on the life of Edouard Mutsinzi, editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Le Messager-Intumwa”. He was attacked in a bar in Nyamirambo (Kigali), while in the company of his wife, and several friends and journalists. A group of approximately five men armed with knives and fire […]
On the evening of 29 January 1995, an attempt was made on the
life of Edouard Mutsinzi, editor-in-chief of the newspaper “Le
Messager-Intumwa”. He was attacked in a bar in Nyamirambo
(Kigali), while in the company of his wife, and several friends
and journalists. A group of approximately five men armed with
knives and fire arms assaulted him several times before fleeing,
leaving Mutsinzi for dead. Mutsinzi received severe knife blows
to the face. As of 1 February, the journalist was still in a
coma.
Edouard Mutsinzi is renowned for his defense of human rights and
freedom of the press. In “Le Messager”, he had on several
occasions denounced the previous regime. Sought out by
Interahamwe militants, he managed to escape the April to June
1994 bloodbath. Upon returning to Kigali, he began publishing “Le
Messager” once again, along the same independent editorial line.
He published several articles denouncing acts committed by
Rwandan Patriotic Army (APR) troops. The attack on Mutsinzi is
thought to be linked to one such article in an edition (No. 48)
of “Le Messager-Intumwa”. In the piece, he points out the irony
that the devaluation of Rwandan currency left some denominations
replaced by a bill whose back is adorned with a lion, the symbol
of Inkotanyi, the APR troops. In it, he also denounced acts
committed by certain APR elements, dubbed “the new Interahamwe”,
in the southern and eastern parts of Rwanda.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to Rwandan authorities:
surrounding the attack on Edouard Mutsinzi, that those
responsible be tried and brought to justice, and that the results
of such an investigation be made public
journalists are able to carry out their duties safely and
unhindered
whose life may be in danger
Appeals To
Pasteur Bizimungu
President of the Republic
Palais de la presidence
Kigali, Rwanda
