Document #1071637
IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (Author)
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). home.worldnet.fr/gbforhan/debut.html
[Accessed: 30 June 1999].
Embassy of Rwanda, Washington, DC.
n.d.www.rwandemb.org [Accessed: 30
June 1999].
Federation Internationale des droits de
l'homme (FIDH). www.ifdh.imaginet.fr/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. sunsite.wits.ac.za/law/humanrts/africa/toc.htm
[Accessed: 2 July 1999].