Rwanda: Editor of independent newspaper tried on criminal charges

IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
_________________________________________________________________

PRESS RELEASE/UPDATE - RWANDA

16 November 2004

Editor of independent newspaper tried on criminal charges

SOURCE: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), New York

**Updates IFEX alert of 15 September 2004; for further information on
previous targeting of "Umuseso", see alerts of 21 and 20 November 2003 and
others; for information on the Mbonigaba case, see alerts of 3 March and 25
February 2003**

(CPJ/IFEX) - The following is a CPJ press release:

RWANDA: Independent newspaper editor tried on criminal charges

New York, November 16, 2004 - The editor of Umuseso, a Rwandan language
independent weekly, was tried today on criminal charges of defamation and
"divisionism" in connection with an article that accused parliamentary Vice
President Denis Polisi of plotting to seize power. The Committee to Protect
Journalists condemned the trial, saying journalists should not be criminally
prosecuted for reporting critically about government officials.

A verdict is expected next week following the one-day trial of Editor
Charles Kabonero, who is also director of the Rwanda Independent Media Group
(RIMEG), the newspaper's owner. The prosecution asked for a prison sentence
of four years and a fine of 300,000 Rwandan francs (about US$526), according
to local journalists.

Polisi filed a criminal complaint after Umuseso reported speculation about
his political aspirations and divisions in the ruling Rwandan Patriotic
Front. Umuseso staff members say they were also harassed and threatened
after the August article appeared, prompting Kabonero to go into hiding for
about 10 days.

"We are deeply disturbed by the unjustified threat of imprisonment that
hangs over our colleague, Charles Kabonero," CPJ Executive Director Ann
Cooper said. "Governments should not use criminal laws to suppress critical
reporting."

Rwandan authorities have frequently targeted Umuseso, the country's sole
independent newspaper. Robert Sebufirira, former managing editor of the
newspaper, and Elly Macdowell Kalisa, the former deputy editor, fled Rwanda
in February after getting a series of death threats they believe came from
senior members of the government security services. The threats followed
articles in Umuseso on alleged corruption by senior officials.

Another former editor, Ismail Mbonigaba, was imprisoned for more than a
month in January 2003 and charged with "inciting division and
discrimination" for reporting that former Prime Minister Faustin
Twagarimungu would run against President Paul Kagame in elections. Mbonigaba
was never tried. In May 2001, John Mugabi, editor of English language
newspaper Rwanda Newsline, which gave rise to Umuseso, sought asylum abroad
after being threatened over articles on the Rwandan military's resource
exploitation in eastern Congo.

For further information, contact Africa Program Coordinator Julia Crawford
(x112) or Research Associate Adam Posluns at CPJ, 330 Seventh Ave., New
York, NY 10001, U.S.A., tel: +1 212 465 1004, fax: +1 212 465 9568, e-mail:
[email protected], Internet: http://www.cpj.org/

The information contained in this press release/update is the sole
responsibility of CPJ. In citing this material for broadcast or publication,
please credit CPJ.
_________________________________________________________________
DISTRIBUTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
EXCHANGE (IFEX) CLEARING HOUSE
489 College Street, Suite 403,Toronto (ON) M6G 1A5 CANADA
tel: +1 416 515 9622 fax: +1 416 515 7879
alerts e-mail: [email protected] general e-mail: [email protected]
Internet site: http://www.ifex.org/
_________________________________________________________________