Central Africa Director at Human Rights Watch. Husband. Dad. New Englander. Bo-Sox fan. UNC/SOAS/UoE. Re-tweets not endorsements. Views expressed are my own.
School girls in
#Burundi
finally free after days in jail, accused of scribbling on the president’s photo. They should never have been arrested in the first place. Charges shld be dropped.
@hrw
@cnni
Just a few kilometers away from the Kigali Convention Center, where Commonwealth government leaders will be discussing good governance, jailed Rwandan journalists and critics are brutally being reduced to silence. New from
@HRW
Félicien Kabuga's arrest this morning, alleged to be a chief financier of the
#Rwanda
genocide in 1994, is an important step towards justice – even after 26 years, suspects cannot expect to escape accountability. More background from
@hrw
here:
Our thoughts today are with John Williams Ntwali's family as he is buried.
@Rwandapolice
have still not produced police report, photos, CCTV footage, or other evidence from the accident.
@HRW
continues to call for an independent investigation.
Our thoughts today, and in coming weeks, are with those who lost loved ones during the 1994 genocide. The violence that was triggered on April 6, 29 years ago, continues to have ripple effects and cause suffering to this day. Many still wait for justice and accountability.
@hrw
Today marks the birthday of
#KizitoMihigo
. He would have been 40.
@hrw
continues to doubt his death was a suicide. Until an independent inquiry is launched, dissidents will continue to die under mysterious circumstances in
#Rwanda
.
1/18 A LONG thread for those following the
#Rusesabagina
case in
#Rwanda
and the cloak-and-dagger circumstances of his arrest.
Rwanda routinely uses unlawful means of arrest/detention and torture on both real and perceived opponents. 2017
@hrw
report:
#Rwanda
Today is a moment to remember, reflect and understand the importance of international action to prevent large-scale atrocities and the need for justice in their aftermath.
@hrw
report from 2 yrs back, marking the 25th anniversary:
In
#Rwanda
journalists and political opponents disappear or end up dead too often. These latest disappearances require credible investigations. Latest press release from
@hrw
:
#Rwanda
Les autorités devraient garantir une enquête indépendante sur la mort de John Williams Ntwali.
Déclaration conjointe de 90 organisations de la société civile et associations de journalistes y compris
@hrw_fr
Thread 1/6 Daring open letter to
@PaulKagame
by
@CkayumbaThre
in which he states "illegal detention center do exist and so do 'safe houses', and torture exists in some of these places. I have personally met many individuals who have been in these centers."
1/ Another dark day for press freedom in
#Rwanda
. Cyuma Hassan's 7-year sentence + fine were maintained on appeal. His arrest, treatment in detention, and parody of a trial, all send a clear message:
#freespeech
will not be tolerated in
#Rwanda
.
1/ During
#Rwanda
's UPR, many countries called out
#Rwanda
's human rights record. It’s high time for
#Rwanda
to address persistent human rights violations and put an end to impunity by holding those responsible accountable.
John Williams Ntwali was a lifeline for many victims of human rights violations, and often the only journalist who dared report on issues of political repression. He joins a long list of people who have challenged the government and died in suspicious circumstances.
#Rwanda
@hrw
As
#Rwanda
's review starts before the Committee on the Rights of the Child it should end arbitrary and abusive detention of children at
#Gikondo
transit center. The center should be immediately closed. New report by
@hrw
The least surprising piece of news out of
#PegasusProject
is that gov of
#Rwanda
tracks real/perceived dissidents around the world. What is surprising is that Rwandan foreign minister
@Vbiruta
openly denies it.
1/ Strong statement by UN experts condemning abuses against
#Burundi
refugees in
#Tanzania
, including enforced disappearances, torture, forced returns and overall repression. Also expressed concern about reports of refugee killings.
@hrw
1/6 Worrying reports of the arrest in Mozambique of Cassien Ntamuhanga, a former journalist from
#Rwanda
. Ntamuhanga was taken into custody on 23 May and reports indicate he may be currently held at the Rwandan embassy in Maputo.
@hrw
Elections in
#Burundi
took place in a highly repressive environment with no independent international observers. Reports of abuse must not be brushed under the rug. New communique by
@hrw
2 years ago journalists from
#Russia
were killed in
#CARcrisis
while investigating
#Wagnergroup
, the trio killed as Russia's presence in the country was increasing. Justice must be done & it's up to Central African authorities. My take
@AJEnglish
@hrw
:
#Rwanda
and the wider region are still grappling with consequences of the genocide. 28 years on, victims and survivors remain at the center of our thoughts. But we should also take stock of progress and the need to ensure accountability for all who directed these horrific acts.
There is only one clear and stubborn fact out of Kizito's death: those deemed political opponents in
#Rwanda
have a high likelihood of dying before their time.
Wave of free speech prosecutions in
#Rwanda
as
#CHOGM
approaches. Will international partners take a stand & press the authorities to stop repressive measures that restrict free speech? New
@hrw
report:
6/6 The use of illegal detention facilities is one of the worst kept secrets in
#Rwanda
. Nonetheless,
@Ckayumba
took a brave step in publishing this. It will only stop when more people have the courage to expose it.
The Rusesabagina verdict in
#Rwanda
has one clear outcome: it will be another example of the government’s overreach and manipulation of the justice system.
@hrw
In a few days, the 4
@iwacuinfo
journalists are due to find out the outcome of their appeal. They never should have been arrested or convicted for doing their work - we urge the government to immediately release them. More info here:
@hrw
#jesuisiwacu
1/ The Supreme Court judgement on the Rwanda-UK asylum deal comes as a huge relief. Judges highlighted
#Rwanda
’s poor human rights record, including threats to Rwandans living in the UK, recently documented in a Human Rights Watch report
24 years ago this week saw the start of the
#Rwanda
genocide which was exceptional in its brutality, its speed, and in meticulous organization.
@hrw
stands in solidarity with victims and survivors and continues to call for justice.
Kagame’s latest attacks on refugee rights is more evidence that
#Rwanda
is not a good faith partner and UK’s asylum plan is based on falsehoods and cynical politics. Latest dispatch for
@hrw
here:
Kizito's death adds to the list of disappearances, murders, and suspicious deaths of perceived critics and opponents of
#Rwanda
gov. Authorities’ failure to deliver justice in these cases sends a deliberately chilling message. New communique by
@hrw
Susan Sarandon is now amplifying a known conspiracy theorist to whitewash Assad’s war crimes and absolve him of responsibility for using chemical weapons against his own people.
This is atrocious, even for Susan Sarandon — and that’s saying something.
Only one thing is clear after the suspicious death of John Williams Ntwali, and that is this: those who dare criticize the government of
#Rwanda
have a strange habit of dying in these types of accidents. New communique for
@hrw
#Rwanda
: Le rapport d’autopsie rendu public hier par la police n’a rien prouvé sur la mort de
#Kizito
. Une enquête indépendante est absolument nécessaire
@hrw_fr
1/ On February 17, 2020, police announced that Kizito Mihigo, genocide survivor, singer and peace advocate, had committed suicide in his cell. He was detained while trying to escape to Burundi. Three years later, many questions remain unanswered.
@hrw
Thread 1/3
#Cameroon
Today marks a month since the
#Ngarbuh
massacre when gov forces & armed Fulani killed 21 civilians, (incl 13 children) in a reprisal attack aimed at punishing the local ppl suspected of harboring separatist fighters.
@hrw
report here:
An American fake pastor is running a network that gives up to 50,000 Ugandans a “miracle cure” made from industrial bleach, claiming drinking the toxic fluid eradicates cancer and HIV.
Zim journalist Hopewell Chin'ono'
@daddyhope
and
@KenRoth
from
@hrw
on the legacy of Dewa
@dewamavhinga
. He made his mark and he made his contribution. We all aspire to do what he did. Thank you to
@TheGlobe_SABC
for the long format tribute.
Could
@BorisJohnson
and
@pritipatel
explain how the UK gov's position changed so drastically in just one year? How does the UK go from calling out
#Rwanda
's abysmal rights record to calling it "one of the safest countries in the world" so quickly?
#Cameroon
: Decision of
#Buea
University to terminate contract of
@AgborNKonghoF
after gov request to "take measures" aims to limit critical debate on
#AnglophoneCrisis
. Universities shld uphold free expression, not submit to gov pressure. For more
@hrw
:
An apparent gaffe by
@BusingyeJohns
and the British PR firm
@Chelgate
has confirmed what most have known all along: Paul Rusesabagina is unlikely to receive a fair trial in
#Rwanda
. New dispatch for
@hrw
There will be cynics who shrug their shoulders at today's news of Ntaganda's conviction at the
#ICC
. This ignores the long road to justice victims have taken and the message the conviction sends to commanders currently committing abuse.
@hrw
@ida_sawyer
2/18 The list of names associated with unlawful disappearances, detentions and killings is long. Simply put, political opponents in
#Rwanda
die. Start with the 2019 killing of FDU member Syldio Dusabumuremyi.
Having undermined evidence, ignored rights NGO reports, ignored its own recent assessments, and lost its case in court, the UK gov’t is desperately trying to circumvent the SC’s judgement.
Its new bill is disconnected from reality and perverting facts.
THREAD: 1/10 An under reported
#COVID
-19 story has unfolded in
#Burundi
. Since March, the government was telling people that the pandemic would never hit the country because it was protected by God.
@hrw
I take the Bangui-Dekoa road often in
#CARcrisis
. Very strange that 3 Russians journalists were killed by unidentified gunmen on a safe road with very little anti-balaka activity and outside the zone of the ex-Seleka.
@ReutersAfrica
1/4
#Rwanda
In 2016 Kizito Mihigo sent a recording from prison, describing how he was beaten in front of Dan Munyuza, the IGP
@Rwandapolice
while in illegal detention. Kizito died in police custody 6 months ago today. A credible investigation needed.
@hrw
#Rwanda
Ensure Independent Investigation into John Williams Ntwali’s Death. Joint Statement by 90 Civil Society Organizations and Press Associations including
@hrw
Kizito Mihigo a pris de grands risques pour exposer l'utilisation systémique de la torture dans les centres de détention illégaux et clandestins. Il voulait que le monde entier le sache.
#Justice4Kizito
Mon interview pour
@hrw_fr
:
Just days after Martinez Zogo's gruesome killing, another journalist - Jean Jacques Ola Bebe - is murdered. Journalists in
#Cameroon
should not have to risk their lives to do their work. New dispatch for
@hrw
The Commission of Inquiry is the strongest – and one of the few – sources of public reporting on the serious human rights abuses being committed in
#Burundi
. It's mandate must be renewed. New report by
@hrw
Thread: 1/The four
#Burundi
-an
@iwacuinfo
journalists convicted in January after a flawed trial will be back in court tomorrow for an appeal hearing.
They never should have been arrested.
They should be immediately and unconditionally released.
@hrw
1/ Ntwali était un soutien vital pr nbrses victimes de violations des droits humains & souvent le seul journaliste qui osait rendre compte de la répression politique. Il rejoint une longue liste de personnes qui ont défié le gvt & sont mortes ds circonstances suspectes
@hrw_fr
#Rwanda
Six months on from the death in custody of Kizito Mihigo and we still have more questions than answers. An independent investigation is needed. New press release for
@hrw
The trial of
#Kabuga
begins today in The Hague, a huge step in rendering justice for the genocide in
#Rwanda
. The lesson for alleged perpetrators of serious crimes: you can run. You can hide. You will be caught. Dispatch for:
@hrw
Grievances in
#Cameroon
Anglophone regions are real. Kidnapping and beating people to keep them in line is not the way to address them. New dispatch for
@hrw
#CARcrisis
In my last face to face conversation w/ Sidiki, in early 2019, he told me justice was irrelevant and would block peace. He's now dead and will never be made to account for his crimes, but investigations of other 3R commanders must continue.
@hrw
As
#Rwanda
's president Kagame prepares to address the world, opponents continue to go missing or end up dead. This week world leaders should ask questions. New communique by
@hrw
1/
#RCA
The arrest and charging of Hassan Bouba, a government minister, for war crimes and crimes against humanity in an important step for justice in
#CARcrisis
@hrw
#Rwanda
Kizito speaks from beyond the grave in this audio from Benedict Moran. For Kizito, the message was more important than the messenger. He will be buried tomorrow.
1/6 Dans cette lettre ouverte audacieuse à
@PaulKagame
,
@Ckayumba
dit que les centres et autres lieux de détention illégaux existent et que la torture y est parfois pratiquée.
#Rwanda
In death, alleged genocidaire Augustin Bizimana escaped justice. With Kabuga in detention, efforts must be redoubled to find Protais Mpiranya and bring him to justice.
@hrw
Nine years ago I began research on how the Imbonerakure terrorized people in
#Burundi
. The new president
@GeneralNeva
should end these killings and publicly call for justice for past abuse. New oped for
@jeune_afrique
in English on
@hrw
website here:
THREAD 1/
#Burundi
: human rights activist
#GermainRukuki
continues to pay the price for his work, still in jail despite his sentence reduction. No credible excuses have been given for his continued – now illegal - detention.
@hrw
1/ Lors de l'EPU du
#Rwanda
, de nombreux pays ont pointé du doigt son bilan en matière de droits humains. Il est grand temps pour le
#Rwanda
de s'attaquer aux violations persistantes des droits humains et de mettre fin à l'impunité.
@hrw_fr
#CARcrisis
. See my new piece in
@mailandguardian
on the peace deal in
#CARcrisis
. Just one month in, optimism around the peace deal is fading. Armed groups push for amnesty shows their true intentions.
@hrw
#Rwanda
has history of flouting laws & norms to smuggle opponents back to the country to face unfair trials or worse. As an asylum seeker, Cassien Ntamuhanga should be accorded due process in
#Mozambique
. New communique by
@hrw
Nos pensées dans les semaines à venir vont à tous ceux qui ont perdu des êtres chers lors du génocide. La violence déclenchée le 6 avril 1994 continue d'avoir des répercussions et de causer des souffrances aujourd'hui. Nombreux attendent tjrs que justice soit faite
@hrw_fr
#Burundi
: the Commission of Inquiry remains the only independent mechanism w/ resources and experience to document, monitor, and report on human rights violations. The EU should support the renewal of its mandate.
Des réfugiés burundais disparaissent, sont torturés et renvoyés de force par les autorités en
#Tanzanie
. Certains au
#Burundi
sont détenus sans chef d'inculpation. Des enquêtes doivent être menées d'urgence dans les deux pays. Nouveau rapport de
@hrw_fr
Horrible news out of
#CARcrisis
. The only way to stop these militias from committing rape and sexual violence is to hold perpetrators and their commanders accountable for these war crimes.
@ReutersAfrica
The four
@Iwacuinfo
journalists convicted when they should never have been arrested. The message is clear: try to shed light on the situation in
#Burundi
at your own risk. Authorities are leading an assault on free expression.
@hrw
#Burundi
#JeSuisIwacu
2 ans 6 mois d'emprisonement, 1 million d'amende pour chacun, tel est le jugement rendu contre nos 4 journalistes par le TGI Bubanza ce 30/01/2020 à 12h30. Le chauffeur est acquitté.
#Burundi
refugees are being disappeared, tortured and forcibly returned by authorities in
#Tanzania
. Some in Burundi are detained without charge. Investigations urgently needed in both countries. New report by
@hrw
:
Access to health care/food, protection of health workers, clear info and security services that respect basic rights will all be crucial for a
#COVID19
response in
#Congo
#DRC
#RDC
. New communique by
@hrw
The
#UNCRC
called for
#Rwanda
to stop the arbitrary detention of children in transit centers, investigate allegations of ill-treatment and amend the legal framework that regularizes this abuse.
@hrw
urges
#Rwanda
to heed this call
L'arrestation de Félicien Kabuga ce matin, accusé d'être un des principaux financiers du génocide
#Rwanda
en 1994, est une étape importante vers la justice - même après 26 ans, les suspects ne peuvent pas espérer y échapper. Plus d'infos
@hrw_fr
ici: