Kigali-Rwanda- A consolidated report listing of up to two hundred people who have disappeared has been circulating in government organs marked as “Confidential.” The list is said to have originated from the Justice Ministry but it is not yet confirmed if they’re the authors. But government officials claim ignorance of the consolidated report.
The people reportedly disappeared from April to November 2014, with the list indicating majority of them are from Rubavu and Rusizi respectively. The report says many of these people were arrested by state agents, according to a highly reliable source who has seen the report.
Information available to Great Lakes Voice indicates that United States Embassy has been raising issues of disappearances with government through the ministry of Justice. However, Roger Webb, Embassy Spokesman told Great Lakes Voice that there is no specific report with number which the embassy has shared with Ministry of Justice.
“Every time there’re reports about disappearances of people we engage the government. I can’t tell the number but we have been talking to Justice Ministry including about the Lake Rweru bodies,” Webb said.
According to report, in May 2014, security services rounded up 100 people of whom only 77 were paraded while 23 were said to have been set free but did not reach their homes, according to a different US human rights report which is now being updated by US embassy.
Highly placed sources in the Ministry of Justice have intimated to Great Lakes Voice that these reports have been brought to the Ministry by diplomats who are concerned of the ongoing disappearance of people in Rwanda.
A senior US diplomat who asked not to be named also told Great Lakes Voice that the US government is concerned of continued disappearances which have reached to 200. “We are really concerned of the persons who continue to disappear in a disturbing manner. The number has reached 200 and yet it’s still continuing.”
“We usually communicate to Justice Ministry in person as per standard diplomatic protocol. But we regularly have informal meetings to discus and seek answers to certain issues. In serious issues we would provide something in writing,” Webb added.
The Minister of Internal Security, Sheikh Musa Fazil Harelimana said yesterday at a press conference, when asked by GLV, that he is not aware of the report and referred it to Inspector General of Police. “We’re not aware of report. That is maybe information from haters” Fazil said. However, Fazil could not explain how so called ‘Ibigarasha’ a word used for haters ended petitioning to Justice Ministry.
IGP Emmanuel Gasana, said “CID doesn’t have that information. But some of these people are FDLR or RNC people. But the mentioned report, Police has no clue about it. ”
In a telephone interview, the Justice Minister, Johnstone Busingye denied the existence of the report. “I don’t know the report. I am not aware of the existence of the report. I don’t deal with diplomats. I am not the Minister of Foreign affairs,” Busingye added.
Lake Rweru issue
Responding to Great Lakes Voice questions on Rweru bodies, Minister Fazil said Rweru investigation is an affair of Burundi until Rwanda is invited. “The bodies were discovered at Burundi side. By Burundians, also the victims were buried in Burundi, so it’s up to Burundi to investigate the issue and invite us when they need our input.”
Fazil said Burundi would use any forum to invite Rwanda to be a party in investigation.
Source: http://greatlakesvoice.com/rwanda-200-people-allegedly-disappeared-since-april/
