RWANDA: ACQUITTAL OF RWIGARAS SHOULD HERALD NEW ERA FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Following the judgment by the High Court in Kigali to discharge and acquit Diane Rwigara and her mother Adeline Rwigara on all charges that had been brought against them

Following the judgment by the High Court in Kigali to discharge and acquit Diane Rwigara and her mother Adeline Rwigara on all charges that had been brought against them, Amnesty International’s Director for East Africa, the Horn and the Great Lakes, Joan Nyanyuki said:

“Diane and Adeline Rwigara should never have faced charges for expressing their views. While we welcome their discharge and acquittal, we are concerned that the right to freedom of expression remains under attack in Rwanda.

“We call on the Rwandan authorities to build on this judgment and work towards developing greater tolerance and acceptance of alternative and critical views. The judgment must be a first step in reversing the ongoing trend of repression in Rwanda.”