16 January 2024 , 16:00
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Torture is "rampant" in Rwanda, where authorities turn a blind eye to extrajudicial executions and disappearances, a bombshell dossier warns.
A report submitted to the UK Government warns Rwandan leaders "consistently" fail to investigate deaths believed to be at the hands of security services. Human Rights Watch (HRW) also said it has documented arrests, beatings and ill treatment of LGBTI people because of their sexuality.
It also accuses Rwandan authorities of covering up the actions of security forces who killed at least 12 refugees protesting about food cuts in 2018. It comes as MPs debate Rishi Sunak's controversial Safety of Rwanda Bill, which will require MPs to declare that it is a safe place to send asylum seekers to.
The Home Office has been accused of "brushing aside" killings and human rights abuse, which it denies, saying Rwanda "cares deeply" about refugees. In an assessment published last week, Home Office officials said Rwanda was a "relatively peaceful country with respect for the rule of law". But they admitted there are "issues with its human rights record around political opposition to the current regime, dissent and free speech". A UK Government report said the shooting of refugees was an "isolated" incident, and said violations are directed at Rwandans rather than refugees.
A HRW response claims the Government's policy statement "cherry picks facts" and "avoids some of the more serious human rights violations" in Rwanda. It said: "Although Rwanda is a party to the UN Convention against Torture, unlawful detention and torture are rampant, particularly in unofficial detention facilities known as ‘safe houses.’
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"Human Rights Watch regularly receives credible information from former prisoners about torture and ill treatment in Rwandan prisons, including Nyarugenge (Mageragere) prison in Kigali, where some have said they are being held in isolation and beaten."
It accuses the Home Office of glossing over a damning assessment of Rwanda's human rights record by the US Statement. In a 2022 document, US officials said there are "significant human rights issues" including "credible reports of unlawful or arbitrary killings". It also highlighted "torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment" by the government". The State Department further said there was evidence of "killings, kidnappings, and violence" directed at dissidents overseas.
The HRW report states: "The Rwandan government consistently fails to conduct effective investigations into allegations of extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, deaths in custody, arbitrary detention, torture and other ill-treatment, and ensure accountability or justice for victims. In many of these cases, the evidence points to the involvement of state security forces. This has created a climate of fear among the population and impunity among government officials."
It points to the suspicious death in police custody of activist and singer Kizito Mihigo, who was found dead in his cell in 2020. Mr Mihigo had said he was at risk of being killed by state agents, HRW said.
And addressing the fatal shooting of 12 refugees protesting cuts to food allowances at the Kiziba camp, the assessment said: "Although there were no other incidents of the sort, it is perhaps more telling that since that brutal fatal crackdown, to the best of Human Rights Watch’s knowledge, no attempts have been made by refugees to organise protests. On the contrary, impunity for security forces, the National Human Rights Commission’s report covering up the abuse, and the prosecution and jailing of dozens of refugees involved in the protest sent a very stark warning against any further attempts to organize protests."
It claimed that one person accused of sharing information with HRW was sentenced to 15 years in prison. The UK Government has hit back at claims human rights concerns are overlooked, pointing out that the UN Refugee Agency has its own scheme for refugees in the country. The Home Office says it has worked with Rwandan authorities to address concerns raised by the Supreme Court.
A Home Office spokeswoman said:“We reject any suggestion that the UK is turning a blind eye to human rights issues. Rwanda is a safe country that cares deeply about supporting refugees. It hosts more than 135,000 asylum seekers and stands ready to relocate people and help them rebuild their lives.”