Document - Rwanda: Further information on fear of refoulement / ill-treatment / refoulement / fear of ill-treatment

EXTERNALAI Index: AFR 47/33/97

12 September 1997

Further information on UA 248/97 (AFR 26/01/97, 31 July 1997) and follow-

ups (AFR 26/02/97, 11 August and AFR 01/12/97, 12 August) - Fear of refoulement / Ill-treatment / Refoulement and new concern: Fear of ill-

treatment

GABON / RWANDAAround 155 Rwandese asylum-seekers in Gabon

Around 97 soldiers of the former Rwandese army - who were among the 155 Rwandese asylum-seekers forcibly repatriated from Gabon on 12 August 1997 - are still in military custody in Rwanda. Since their arrival in Rwanda on 12 August, the former soldiers have been detained in an undisclosed location. Humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), have been denied access to the prisoners.

FURTHER RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send telegrams/faxes/express/airmail letters in French or English or in your own language:

- asking for information on the whereabouts of the soldiers of the former Rwandese army who were repatriated from Gabon to Rwanda on 12 August 1997;

- expressing concern that the detainees are reported to have been held in incommunicado detention since their arrival in Rwanda, and urging that humanitarian organizations be granted immediate access to them;

- seeking assurances that they are not being ill-treated and that their safety will be guaranteed;

- explaining that you are aware that many members of the former Rwandese army are believed to have played a leading role in the genocide in 1994, but asking if the detainees have been formally charged and if so asking for details of the specific charges against them.

APPEALS TO:

Général-Major Paul KAGAME

Vice-Président de la République et Ministre de la Défense

Présidence de la République

BP 23, Kigali, Rwanda

Faxes: +250 76969 / 72431

Telegrams: Vice-President, Kigali, Rwanda

Salutation: Monsieur le Vice-President / Dear Vice-President

M.Cheikh Abdul Karim HARELIMANA

Ministre de l'Intérieur, du Développement

communal et de la réintégration sociale

BP 446 KIGALI