“Laying foundations for democratic society” - UN

The UN Human Rights Commission’s special representative for Rwanda has said the country is stepping out of the shadow of genocide and laying the foundations for a democratic society. In a report, to be discussed by a General Assembly committee this week, he noted positive developments in social and human rights over the past year such as successful local elections, the establishment of a human rights commission and a unity and reconciliation commission and the proposal to use traditional justice systems (gacaca) to speed up genocide trials. However, in spite of the progress there was not yet a culture of human rights in Rwanda, the report said. Prisons continued to absorb four percent of the country’s entire budget and conditions, while improving, were still “unacceptable”. The special representative expressed support for the gacaca system as the “only viable alternative” to ease overcrowding in jails and promote reconciliation.

The report also called for a free press, saying it had a crucial role to play in Rwanda’s transition. “The media has still not recovered from the perception that it aided and abetted the genocide,” the report observed. The press had to be able to operate in a climate free from fear and intimidation, but had to remain responsible. The report said this would require legal safeguards, financial viability and quality training in professional reporting.

Finally, it took note of the improved security situation in the country, especially northwest Rwanda. One Rwandan official was quoted as saying the threat to security was no longer sufficiently serious to stand in the way of the transition. The report said the authorities should now be able to tackle other major issues such as the return of refugees, private ownership of land, freedom of movement, choice and expression, releases from jail - “all of which have been held hostage to security considerations”.