RALLY FOR RETURN
AND DEMOCRACY IN RWANDA
R.D.R
Mugunga, April 28, 1995
PRESS RELEASE Nš4
Rally for the Return and Democracy in Rwanda has just learnt through the media, about the declaration made on April 27, 1995 by the UN Security Council, following the horrendous massacres of KIBEHO by the Rwanda Patriotic Army.
In this respect, RDR would like to express its worry and disappointment over the same declaration that is too little, too late:
1. RDR is surprised that this declaration merely condemn the massacre of innocent civilians, but fall short of naming the culprit.
Yet, eye witnesses, including foreign NGOs, UN personnel and foreign journalists present at the material time all confirm that it was Rwandese Patriotic Army the responsibility of the massacre lay entirely on Rwandese Patriotic Army.
2. The declaration comes a whole week after the massacres, despite their gravity and premeditation.
3. Similarly, it does not reveal any concrete proposal on the about 2.000 refugees remaining in KIBEHO camp, under siege by RPA.
The International Community rather seems to relay the message of RPA to those poor refugees, to surrender or perish of hunger, thirsty or gunfire.
4. The declaration does not, at anytime, mention the case of refugees forced out of KIBEHO by RPA and who were summarily killed immediately at their arrival at home, which confirms by the way that the remaining refugees are right to worry about their safety.
This took place in MUGANZA, MUGUSA and RUSATIRA communes, district of BUTARE.
5. Surprisingly, the declaration praises the Kigali Government for its policy of national reconciliation!
At the time when:
- Terrorism by RPA has reached all the remote areas of the country;
- Savage lists of so called criminals to get rid off are circulating outside the country;
- Mare than 50.000 people are languishing in jail without charge;
- Arbitrary arrests and detention, disappearances and other harrassement are reported daily;
- Armed banditry by people in RPA uniform, which does not spare even the UNAMIR Personnel are on the increase;
- People are still fleeing the country in big number;
- The private press is muzzled.
One could ask himself which policy of national reconciliation the declaration is talking about.
By the way, top officials of the Kigali Government including the Vice-President and strong man of Kigali, Major Paul KAGAME, have publically declared more than once, that they do not adhere to that idea of national reconciliation.
R.D.R therefore requests:
1. That refugees remaining in KIBEHO camp be given safe passage to a destination of their choice.
2. That the International Community exerts pressure on the Kigali Government accordingly rather than succumbing falling prey to its blackmailing tactics, by forcing or persuading refugees to leave, while knowing very well that they are likely to face.
Lastly, R.D.R reiterates its conviction, that unique way to resolve the rwandese tragedy is through a political dialogue between the Kigali Government and representatives of refugees.
For RDR
Dr Innocent BUTARE
Executive Secretary