Rwanda: Treatment of members of the Muhindiro clan related to Rwanda's royal family (1994-June 1999)

A representative of a Kigali-based human rights organization called the Ligue rwandaise pour la promotion et la défense des droits de l'homme (LIPRODHOR) stated in a 30 June 1999 telephone interview that the members of the Muhindiro clan, who are related to Rwanda's royal family (Tutsi), are not mistreated by the Rwandan authorities anywhere in Rwanda. The representative also stated that although the old national ID cards issued by the Rwandan authorities before the 1994 genocide provided information on the ethnic background of the bearer, they did not provide information on the clan of origin. Furthermore, the new ID cards issued in 1997 by the Rwandan authorities do not provide any ethnic background or clan affiliation information. LIPRODHOR had in 1998 a no-vote affiliation with the Paris-based Federation Internationale des droits de l'homme (FIDH) (FIDH Website). According to a document available in the University of Minnesota Human Rights Library Website, LIPRODHOR, formerly called the Ligue chrétienne de défense des droits de l'homme (LICHREDHOR) was created in 1991.

LIPRODHOR researches cases, issues statements and declarations, and pursues recourse at the administrative and judicial level. It has a periodic newsletter which is issued in the Kenyrwanda language. It accepts written complaints from individuals, though there is no formal system for determining how to act on the complaints. The organization has held several seminars and conferences to discuss human rights and to publicize its work with the local population. In that connection it often works through the local Catholic Church or missionary groups (6 Oct. 1996).

A chronology of historical events provided in the Website of the Embassy of Rwanda in Washington DC mentions that King Rudahigwa of Rwanda died "mysteriously" in Bujumbura, Burundi, in 1959, and was succeeded by his half brother who became King Kigeli V Ndahindurwa. In 1961, the Belgian authorities abolished the Rwandan monarchy (L'autre Afrique 2-8 Dec. 1998; see also St. Louis Post-Dispatch 19 Aug. 1994).

The Paris-based human rights organisation called L'Action des Chrétiens pour l'Abolition de la Torture et des exécutions capitales (ACAT-France) quotes on its Website a Reuters report that stated that a military tribunal in Rwanda had confirmed on 11 March 1999 the death sentences of two men who have been found guilty of the murder in 1994 of Queen Rosalia Gicanda.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

L'Action des Chrétiens pour l'Abolition de la Torture et des exécutions capitales (ACAT-France). [Accessed: 30 June 1999].

Embassy of Rwanda, Washington, DC. n.d. [Accessed: 30 June 1999].

Federation Internationale des droits de l'homme (FIDH). [Accessed: 2 July 1999]

 Ligue rwandaise pour la promotion et la défense des droits de l'homme (LIPRODHOR), Kigali, Rwanda. 30 June 1999. Telephone interview with representative.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch. 19 August 1994. Robert L. Koenig. "Tutsi King is Down and

Out in Washington; Deposed 33 Years Ago, Kigeli V Wants to Return to

Rwanda." (NEXIS)

University of Minesota, Human Rights Library. 6 October 1996. Nongovernmental Organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa. [Accessed: 2 July 1999].