urgent intervention needed in rwanda
The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) has been informed by a Agir Ensemble pour les Droits de l'Homme, a member of the OMCT network, of the disappearance of Mr. Léonard Hitimana, a member of the transitional National Assembly in Rwanda. According to the information received, Mr. Hitama's car was found on April 9th, close to the Ugandan border. Security forces have carried out an investigation at the President of the National Assembly's request, but it has been unsuccessful. The OMCT is asking concerned parties to write to the authorities requesting that Mr. Hitama be located, that an investigation be launched and that human rights be guaranteed.
Case RWA 270603
Disappearances
The International Secretariat of OMCT requests your URGENT
intervention in the following situation in Rwanda.
Brief description of the situation
The International Secretariat of OMCT has been informed by a Agir
Ensemble pour les Droits de l'Homme, a member of the OMCT network, of
the disappearance of Mr. Léonard Hitimana, a member of the
transitional National Assembly in Rwanda.
According to the information received, Mr. Hitama's car was found on
April 9th, close to the the Ugandan border. Security forces have
carried out an investigation at the President of the National
Assembly's request, but it has been unsuccessful.
It appears that Mr. Hitimana's disappearance is linked to his
activity at the MDR political party's centre. On March 17th, 2003,
the Parliamentarian Commission charged with investigating the MDR, a
party whose existence was permitted at that time, drafted a report
accusing Mr. Hitimana of belonging to a group of people spreading
ethnic discrimination and division. There was no proof, however,
supporting this accusation.
OMCT is gravely concerned for the physical and psychological
integrity of Mr. Hitimana, particularly as incommunicado detention
carries a heightened risk of torture and ill-treatment.
Action requested
Please write to the authorities in Rwanda urging them to:
i. to take all measure necessary to locate Mr. Hitimana and guarantee
his physical and psychological integrity.
ii. order a thorough and impartial investigation into the
circumstances in order to identify those responsible, bring them to
trial and apply the penal and/or administrative sanctions as provided
by law;
iii. guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental
freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and
international human rights standards.
Addresses
· Major General Paul Kagame, President of the Republic, Presidency of
the Republic, BP 15, Kigali, Rwanda, Fax : 250 84 769, 250 84 390
· M. Jean de Dieu Mucyo, Minister of Justice and of Institutional
Relations, Ministry of Justice, BP 160 Kigali, Rwanda, Fax : 250 86
509
· Ambassador Valentine Rugwabiza, Rue de la Servette 93, CH-1202,
Genéve, Suisse, e-mail : [email protected], fax: +4122 919
10 01
Please also write to the embassies of Rwanda in your respective
country.
Geneva, June 27th, 2003
Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this
appeal in your reply.
Organisation Mondiale Contre la Torture (OMCT)
World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT)
Organización Mundial Contra la Tortura (OMCT)
8 rue du Vieux-Billard
Case postale 21
CH-1211 Geneve 8
Suisse/Switzerland
Tel. : 0041 22 809 49 39
Fax : 0041 22 809 49 29
E-mail : [email protected]
http://www.omct.org