Juillet 2015

jeudi 30 juillet 2015

Ikigo Centre For Human Rights-Rwanda cyari gushyigikira Ishyaka Democratic Green Party of Rwanda mu urubanza iregamo Leta y’u Rwanda ku ivugururwa ry’itegeko Nshinga, aho Inteko Ishinga Amategeko yamaze kwemeza ishingiro ry’ubusabe bw’abaturage ku kuba Itegeko Nshinga ryavugururwa Perezida Kagame Paul akemererwa kwiyamamaza cyavanywe mu rubanza. Iri shyaka ryari rishyigikiwe muri uru rubanza n’ikigo giharanira iyubahirizwa ry’uburenganzira bwa muntu mu Rwanda (Centre for Human Rights –Rwanda-CHR-R). Kuri uyu wa gatatu, taliki 29 Nyakanga inteko y’iburanisha ihagarariwe na Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga mu Rwanda Prof. Sam Rugege, yemeje ko iki ikigo (Centre for Human Rights –Rwanda-CHR-R) kitemerewe gukurikirana uru rubanza . Kuba nta bushakashatsi bwimbitse icyo kigo cyakoze ndetse nta n’ubumenyi bagaragaza bafite, ibyo bikaba ntacyo byafasha Urukiko kugera ku mwanzuro bakoze nta n’ubumenyi bagaragaza bwafasha urukiko kugera ku mwanzuro w’ikirego nk’uko tubikesha ikinyamakuru Indatwa. Maitre Gatete Kevin (hagati), umuyobozi wa Centre For Human Rights-Rwanda Mu ibaruwa bandikiye Urukiko rw’Ikirenga, Maitre Gatete Thierry Kevin uyobora Centre For Human Rights Rwanda agaragaza ko badasanzwe bakorana na Green Party ariko bakaba bashakaga kubashyigikira mu rubanza rubuza ko habaho guhindura Itegeko Nshinga kuko ngo basanze ibyo bavuga bifite ishingiro. Urubanza rwakomeje ishyaka DGPR ryunganirwa na Me Mukamusoni Antoinette, ababuranira Leta bagaragaza ko nta n’impamvu ihari yaba yaratumye Leta iregwa kuko nta cyaha ifite. Me Antoinette Mukamusoni yasobanuye ko Leta ari yarezwe bitewe n’uko kuvugurura Itegeko Nshinga byatangijwe n’abanyamategeko n’abayobozi mu nzego zo hejuru, abaturage babisamira hejuru aka wa “mwera uturutse i bukuru”. Ahereye kuri ibyo, yifashishije ingero zo mu zindi nkiko, maze asaba Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ko mu gihe yasanga nta bubasha rufite bwo kuburanisha urwo rubanza, yabayobora ahakwiye ho gutanga icyo kirego. Me Mukamusoni yanasabye kandi ko Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rwagira inama Inteko Ishinga Amategeko imitwe yombi, igahagarika ibikorwa byose birimo gukorwa bigamije ivugururwa ry’Itegeko Nshinga, kuko iri tegeko ari ntayegayezwa. Nyuma yo kumva ibivugwa n’ababuranyi bose, Urukiko rwanzuye ko hagiye gusuzumwa ububasha bwa rwo mu kuburanisha urwo rubanza, rutangaza ko umwanzuro uzasomwa ku itariki ya 9 Nzeri 2015 saa tatu. Amafoto: Indatwa Source: http://imirasire.com/amakuru-yose/amakuru-mashya/mu-rwanda/article/abari-gushyigikira-democratic-green-party-mu-rubanza-ku-ivugurura-ry-itegeko-nshinga-batewe-utwatsi-n-urukiko

jeudi 30 juillet 2015

Abunganira Leta y’u Rwanda mu rubanza iregwamo n’ishyaka Green Party bavuze ko Urukiko rw ‘Ikirenga nta bubasha rufite bwo kuburanisha urubanza rwabo, byanatumye urubanza rusubikwa rukazasubukurwa tariki ya 9 Nzeli 2015. Muri uru rubanza Leta y’u Rwanda yari ihagarariwemo na Me Marara Aimable, Me Mbonera Theophile na Me. Rubango Epimaque, bavuze ko ubusanzwe Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ruburanisha imanza zazanywe urega avuga ko atishimiye ibyavuye mu matora. Abunganira Leta mu rubanza iregwamo n’ishyaka Green Party ku kuba ishaka guhindura Itegeko Nshinga, mu ngingo yayo y’101, bavuga ko urukiko rw’Ikirenga rwatanzwemo iki kirego, ngo rudafite ububasha. Bavuze ko nta kimenyetso simusiga cyemeza yuko amatora agiye kuba, bityo rero ngo nta mpamvu yari gutuma ishyaka rya Green Party rizana ikirego cyaryo mu rukiko rw’Ikirenga. Me. Mukamusoni Antoinette wunganira Green Party muri uru rubanza, yavuze ko urukiko rw’Ikirenga rufte ububasha bwo kuburanisha urubanza rwa Green Party, kubera ko ngo kuba Itegeko Nshinga ririndwa na Perezida wa Repubulika, kandi ngo uru rukiko rukaba rufite ububasha bwo kuburanisha Perezida wa Repubulika igihe yashatse kurihonyora, ngo runafite ububasha bwo kuburanisha ikirego cy’abashatse kuryangiriza. Me. Mukamusoni kandi yavuze ko amatora ya Kamarampaka (Referendumu) ataraba, ariko ngo bitewe n’ibiri gukorwa n’abagize Inteko Ishinga Amategeko imitwe yombi mu mirenge itandukanye, ngo bihamya neza ko aya matora ya Kamarampaka agiye kuba kandi bidatinze. Yasabye urukiko rw’Ikirenga nk’umujyanama mukuru w’Inteko Ishinga Amategeko, kuyisaba vuba na bwangu guhagarika ibikorwa irimo hirya no hino mu gihugu byo kumva ibitekerezo by’abaturage kw’ivugururwa ry’Itegeko Nshinga, mu gihe cyose uru rubanza ruzaba rutararangira. Green Party kandi ivuga ko ishingiye kubyakozwe n’abagize Inteko Ishinga Amategeko, yemeza ubusabe bw’abaturage hafi ijana ku ijana, ndetse hakaniyongeraho kuba baranifatanyije n’abaturage kwishimira icyo gikorwa biciye mu mbyino, ngo ibyo byose bigaragaza ko nta gisigiye hagiye kubaho amatora ya Kamarampaka. Ku ruhande rw’abunganira Leta bo bavuze ko iki gikorwa cyo kuzenguruka mu gihugu cyose bungurana ibitekerezo ku ivugururwa ry’Itegeko Nshinga, ngo bitavuze ko ari referendumu barimo, kuko ngo nta cyemeza ko Referendumu izabaho byanze bikunze, kuko nta mwanzuro wa nyuma urafatwa. Abungainira Leta bakomeje bavuga ko Green Party yari gushaka ahandi itanga ikirego cyayo, ibintu batatinye kuvuga ko ishyaka rya Green Party ritazi icyo riregera, uwo rirega, ndetse naho rirega. Dr. Frank Habineza umuyobozi w’ishyaka Green Party, yavuze ko kuba abadepite baragaragaje amarangamutima yabo kuri iyi ngingo, ndetse bamwe muri bo bakanagerekaho kuvuga ko ikirego cya Green Party kidafite agaciro, ngo ntibari kubitabaza, bityo rero ngo niyo mpamvu bitabaje urukiko rw’Ikirenga, ndetse ngo bakaba banashingira ko urukiko rw’Ikirenga arirwo rukiko rusumba izindi. Dr. Habineza kandi yashimangiye ko ivugururwa ry’tegeko Nshinga Atari ubusabe bw’abaturage, kubera ko ngo ibi bikorwa byatangijwe n’abayobozi bo mu nzego nkuru z’igihugu, bityo ngo barifuza ko urukiko rwabarenganura, ndetse rukanabahagarika gukora ibikorwa byo kujya kumva ibyifuzo by’abaturage kuri iyi ngingo. Dr. Habineza kandi yemeje ko ibyo bavuze mu rukiko bifite ishingiro, bityo ngo bakaba banizeye ko urukiko ruzabasha kubarengera. Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rwanzuye ko rugiye kwicara rugasuzuma, ndetse rukanafata umwanzuro k’ububasha uru rukiko rufite mu kuburanisha uru rubanza. Rwimuriye uru rubanza tariki 9 Nzeli 2015, bitewe n’uko abacamanza bagiye kujya mu biruhuko by’ubucamanza. Inteko igize iburanisha, ngo ikaba igiye mu kiruhuko cy’ubucamanza Me. Gatete Thierry wari uhagarariye Centre for Human Rights nk’inshuti y’urukiko yasohowe mu iburanisha, nyuma yo kugaragaza ko nta gishya yari azaniye urukiko Source: http://www.makuruki.rw/spip.php?article5952

jeudi 30 juillet 2015

Ububasha bw’urukiko rw’ikirenga bwo kuburanisha urubanza rwerekeye kurengera Itegeko Nshinga, ni cyo cyaburanyweho ku munsi wa mbere w’iburanisha ry’Urubanza ishyaka riharanira Demokarasi no kurengera ibidukikije (DGPR) riregamo Leta y’u Rwanda. Mu gitondo cy’uyu wa 29 Nyakanga 2015, Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rwaburanishije urubanza Ishyaka DGPR riregamo Leta y’u Rwanda, rinasaba ihagarikwa ry’ibikorwa byose bigamije kuvugurura Itegeko Nshinga. Ubwo iburanisha ryatangiraga, Umucamanza Prof.Sam Rugege, Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga yatangiye asoma ibirego bya DGPR. Iryoshakya (DGPR) ryahawe umwanya, risobanurira Urukiko ko impamvu ikirego cyaryo cyashyikirijwe urukiko rw’Ikirenga, ari uko nta rukiko rwihariye rushinzwe kurengera Itegeko Nshinga mu Rwanda, ubwo bubasha bukaba bufitwe na Perezida wa Repubulika. Nk’uko biteganywa n’ingingo ya 98 y’Itegeko Nshinga, igihe Perezida wa Repubulika arihonyoye ubwe, aburanishwa n’Urukiko rw’ikirenga, bityo akaba ari yo mpamvu rwaregewe nyuma yo kubona abagize Guverinoma barihonyora bakanabishishikariza abaturage. Aha iri shyaka ryavuze ko ibimenyetso bishingirwaho ari amajwi n’amashisho byafashwe abaminisitiri, abadepite, n’abayobozi mu nzego zitandukanye, bagaragaza ko bashyigikiye ko ingingo ya 101 yavugururwa bakanabishishikariza abaturage mu nama bakora. Leta yavuze ko Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rudafite ububasha bwo guhagarika ivugururwa ry’Itegeko Nshinga Hakemanzwe ububasha bw’Urukiko rw’ikirenga bwo kuburanisha urubanza ku Itegeko Nshinga Ububasha bw’urukiko rw’ikirenga bwo kuburanisha urubanza rwerekeye kurengera Itegeko Nshinga, ni cyo cyaburanyweho ku munsi wa mbere w’iburanisha ry’Urubanza ishyaka riharanira Demokarasi no kurengera ibidukikije (DGPR) riregamo Leta y’u Rwanda. Mu gitondo cy’uyu wa 29 Nyakanga 2015, Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rwaburanishije urubanza Ishyaka DGPR riregamo Leta y’u Rwanda, rinasaba ihagarikwa ry’ibikorwa byose bigamije kuvugurura Itegeko Nshinga. Ubwo iburanisha ryatangiraga, Umucamanza Prof.Sam Rugege, Perezida w’Urukiko rw’Ikirenga yatangiye asoma ibirego bya DGPR. Iryoshakya (DGPR) ryahawe umwanya, risobanurira Urukiko ko impamvu ikirego cyaryo cyashyikirijwe urukiko rw’Ikirenga, ari uko nta rukiko rwihariye rushinzwe kurengera Itegeko Nshinga mu Rwanda, ubwo bubasha bukaba bufitwe na Perezida wa Repubulika. Nk’uko biteganywa n’ingingo ya 98 y’Itegeko Nshinga, igihe Perezida wa Repubulika arihonyoye ubwe, aburanishwa n’Urukiko rw’ikirenga, bityo akaba ari yo mpamvu rwaregewe nyuma yo kubona abagize Guverinoma barihonyora bakanabishishikariza abaturage. Aha iri shyaka ryavuze ko ibimenyetso bishingirwaho ari amajwi n’amashisho byafashwe abaminisitiri, abadepite, n’abayobozi mu nzego zitandukanye, bagaragaza ko bashyigikiye ko ingingo ya 101 yavugururwa bakanabishishikariza abaturage mu nama bakora. Me Rubango Epimaque, umwe muri batatu baburanira Leta y’u Rwanda babwiye urukiko ko nta bubasha rufite bwo kuburanisha urwo rubanza, ko uwatanze ikirego (DGPR) yagombaga kubanza kunyura mu bagize Inteko Ishinga Amategeko nk’uko Itegeko ribiteganya, Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rukaza nk’umujyanama. Aha Frank Habineza Umuyobozi wa DGPR, yavuze ko begereye Inteko Ishinga Amategeko ariko hakaba habayemo kubogama mu kwakira ibitekerezo ku ivugururwa ry’Itegeko Nshinga, aho abazanaga ibishyigikiye ko rivugururwa bakirwaga n’abayobozi, ariko DGPR yo ntiyanakirwe nibura n’umuto mu badepite. Yakomeje asobanura ko batongeye kugana Inteko Ishinga Amategeko, kuko harimo umwe mu bayigize wavugiye ku karubanda, ko abatemera ko Itegeko Nshinga rivugururwa ari ibigarasha, abandi bakagaragaza ko ubwo busabe (bwa DGPR) nta shingiro bufite. Me Mukamusoni hamwe n abayobozi ba DGPR barangajwe imbere na Dr.Frank habineza Ikindi kimenyetso kigaragaza kubogama, ni uburyo abadepite bafatanyije n’abaturage gucinya akadiho nyuma yo kwemeza ishingiro ry’ubusabe bwo kuvugurura Itegeko Nshinga. Ababuranira Leta bagaragarije Urukiko ko nta n’impamvu ihari yaba yaratumye Leta iregwa kuko nta cyaha ifite. Aha Me Antoinette Mukamusoni yasobanuye ko Leta ari yarezwe bitewe n’uko kuvugurura Itegeko Nshinga byatangijwe n’abanyamategeko n’abayobozi mu nzego zo hejuru, abaturage babisamira hejuru aka wa “mwera uturutse i bukuru”. Ahereye kuri ibyo, yifashishije ingero zo mu zindi nkiko, maze asaba Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ko mu gihe yasanga nta bubasha rufite bwo kuburanisha urwo rubanza, yabayobora ahakwiye ho gutanga icyo kirego. Yasabye kandi ko Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rwagira inama Inteko Ishinga Amategeko imitwe yombi, igahagarika ibikorwa byose birimo gukorwa bigamije ivugururwa ry’Itegeko Nshinga, kuko iri tegeko ari ntayegayezwa. Nyuma yo kumva ibivugwa n’ababuranyi bose, Urukiko rwanzuye ko hagiye gusuzumwa ububasha bwa rwo mu kuburanisha urwo rubanza, rutangaza ko umwanzuro uzasomwa ku itariki ya 9 Nzeri 2015 saa tatu. Muri urwo rubanza, Green Party isaba Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ibi bikurikira: Gutegeka Inteko Ishinga Amategeko kudahindura ingingo y’101 y’Itegeko Nshinga; Kwemeza ko nta referendumu ikenewe ku bifuza ko havugururwa umubare wa manda; Kwemeza ko ingingo y’193 itemera ivugururwa ry’ingingo y’101 ivuga ku mubare wa manda z’Umukuru w’igihugu; Kwemeza ko ingingo y’101 ari ntayegayezwa ikaba idashobora guhindurwa na referendumu; Kwemeza ko manda y’umukuru w’igihugu ivugwa mu ngingo y’193 ntaho ihuriye n’umubare wa manda ashobora gutorerwa, ko ahubwo ivuga ku ndeshyo (imyaka igize iyo manda) ari yo ubu iri ku myaka irindwi, ariko ikaba ishobora kugabanywa cyangwa kongerwa; Gusobanura byimbitse, ingingo y’101 n’iy’193 z’Itegeko Nshinga rya Repubulika y’u Rwanda. Source: http://www.igihe.com/amakuru/u-rwanda/article/hakemanzwe-ububasha-bw-urukiko-rw

jeudi 30 juillet 2015

Kigali: Le verdict dans le procès du Parti d’opposition des Verts contre le Gouvernement rwandais sur la modification de l’article 101de la Constitution sera rendu le 9 Septembre 2015 à 9 heures du matin, selon le Président de la Cour Suprême, le Professeur Sam Rugenge. Les deux parties durant le procès Le Président de la Cour Suprême a tenu ce propos après que les deux parties, Green Party, et les trois avocats du Gouvernement, aient défendu leur cause. Le président de Green Party, Dr Frank Habineza et son avocat, Me Antoinette Mukamusoni, ont montré que l’article 101 de la Constitution du Rwanda est intangible et que les mandats du Président de la République doivent se limiter à deux. « Le Rwanda n’a pas une Cour constitutionnelle pour défendre la Constitution. Dans ce cas, la loi prescrit que c’est le Président de la République qui doit le faire. Mais pour le moment, les Ministres, Députés, Sénateurs et Maires des districts travaillent dans le sens d’un referendum pour modifier la Constitution. Dans ce cas, la plus haute juridiction qu’est la Cour Suprême doit agir pour que la légalité soit sauvegardée, et que la Constitution soit protégée », a dit Green Party représenté par Dr Habineza et Me Mukamusoni. Ils ont déploré que la population suit à la lettre les injonctions des responsables politiques en réunissant des lettres pour les acheminer au Parlement afin d’exiger la modification de l’article 101. «Cela est une campagne menée par la coalition des partis au Gouvernement. Car, après concertation avec la population, ce sera les élections pour le referendum sur le changement ou non de la Constitution », a poursuivi Green Party, qui accuse les responsables gouvernementaux de mener une mobilisation pour un referendum. Les avocats du Gouvernement ont répondu que le referendum n’est pas encore décidé parce que les deux institutions qui ont pour mission de l’annoncer, le Parlement et le Sénat, ne se sont pas encore prononcées. «Rien ne dit même qu’elles aboutiront à cette décision. Le Gouvernement ne doit donc pas être mis en cause pour des choses qui n’ont pas encore eu lieu», a dit Me Rwango. Auparavant, un expert du Centre des Droits de l’Homme au Rwanda et « Ami de la Cour », Gatete Thiery, a voulu s’introduire dans le procès pour éclairer la justice. Mais la Cour a décidé de l’écarter parce que son expertise et sa recherche n’ont pas été signalées dans le document fourni à la Cour. (Fin) Source: Agence Rwandais d Information- http://rnanews.com/national/10547-2015-07-29-21-32-55

mercredi 29 juillet 2015

Rwanda’s Supreme Court has today, the 29th of July 2015, started hearing, the petition against the change of the Rwandan Constitution, especially Article 101, regarding lifting of Presidential term limits, filed by the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda. The Court process, started with the acceptance of the Amicus Curiae, filled by the Centre for Human Rights-Rwanda. The State advocates prayed to Court not to accept this Amicus Curiae, that, its petition was aimed at supporting the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and had nothing new. They wished the center not to take a position in this case. Finally a decision was reached by the Supreme Court to not accept these friends of the Court, even though Maitre Gatete Thierry, the Centre’s representative, indicated new information, including jurisprudences from South Africa, history perspective of the country and the independence of the Centre, which would have been considered for its acceptance as a friend of the Court. DGPR was not pleased with this decision. Thereafter, the Court hearing continued with the acceptability and the competence of the Supreme Court to try this case. State advocates indicated that the Supreme Court does not have competence to try this case and that the Government of Rwanda has not committed any act against the constitution. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, through its President and attorney, Maitre Antoinette Mukamusoni, urged that the Supreme Court as the highest court of the land, indeed has competence to try this case, since we do not have a constitutional court. DGPR also urged that several members of the Government, including Ministers, mayors, local authorities and some members of Parliament and Senators have been on the forefront of this campaign to lift Presidential term limits from the constitution, so that the Incumbent President could stand again for a third term and more terms. DGPR indicated that the Government of Rwanda, did not do anything to stop its Ministers and several dignitaries from conducting this campaign, it also indicated that this campaign was not started by the people but rather by members of the Government. This being the reason why DGPR decided to take Government to Court. DGPR also indicated that petitions by the people to Parliament were always received by either the Speaker or the President of the Senate, yet, when DGPR took a contrary petition to parliament, none of the leaders of both chambers, or their deputies and lower staff, received this petition, it was just left at the reception, even state media did not report the matter, yet all other petitions from the people were always covered by both the National Radio and National Television, an indication that State institutions had already taken sides, confirming the complicity of Government in the change of the constitution. The Supreme Court, chaired by the Chief Justice, announced that it will give its decision on this first phase of the case on the 9th of September 2015, since the Court will be on recess in August. Done at Kigali on 29th July 2015 Dr. Frank HABINEZA President, Democratic Green Part of Rwanda

lundi 27 juillet 2015

Ishyaka Riharanira Demokarasi no Kubungabunga Ibidukikije (Democratic Green Party of Rwanda) ryabonye urishyigikira mu kurega basaba ko ingingo ya 101 mu itegeko Nshinga igena umubare wa manda k’umukuru w’igihugu cy’u Rwanda itahinduka. Ikigo giharanira iyubahirizwa ry ’Uburenganzira bwa muntu mu Rwanda (Centre For Human Rights Rwanda) nacyo cyandikiye urukiko rw’ikirenga inyandiko ndende ibumbatiye ikirego gisa n’icya Green Party mu kurega Leta y’u Rwanda gushaka guhindura itegeko rikuru ry’igihugu. Bamwe mu banyarwanda bamaze iminsi berekana aho bahagaze ku guhindura itegeko nshinga ariko hari n’abandi batari bagira icyo batangaza kandi umubare wabo ni munini ugendeye ku bagera hafi kuri miliyoni enye bandikiye inteko basaba impinduka. N’ubwo abadepite ku itariki 14 Nyakanga basaga n’aho bemeje ko itegeko nshinga rizahinduka nk’uko bamwe babibasabye nyuma baje gusanga byapfa kuba byiza bamanutse bakumva na babandi batanditse ndetse n’abanditse icyo batekereza ari nabyo bikomeje hirya no hino mu mirenge n’ubundi interoa ri ntayindi uretse guhindura iri tegeko. Ishyaka Green Party ryarareze risaba ko izo mpinduka zitabaho n’ubwo urubanza rwaryo rwajemo kidobya abavoka bagatinya icyo kiraka cyo kuriburanira ntabyo byaciriye aho kuko ubu bamaze kubona undi uzababburanira ndetse ikidasanzwe n’uko noneho ikigo giharanira uburenganzira bwa muntu mu Rwanda cyitwa Centre for Human Rights in Rwanda cyamaze kwerekana ko gishyikiye iri shyaka ryeruye rigahakana mu mbaga y’abemera. Mu ibaruwa bandikiye Urukiko rw’Ikirenga, Maitre Gatete Thierry Kevin uyobora Centre For Human Rights Rwanda agaragaza ko badasanzwe bakorana na Green Party ariko bakaba bashaka kubashyigikira mu rubanza rubuza ko habaho guhindura Itegeko Nshinga kuko ngo basanze ibyo bavuga bifite ishingiro. Bashingira kuki bashyigikiraGreen Party? Mu byo bashingiraho banenga icyemezo cyo guhindura Itegeko Nshinga, babwiye Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ko Abaminisitiri, Abameya n’abagize Inteko Ishinga Amategeko, bagiye bagaragara ubwabo bakangurira abaturage iby’uko hakwiye guhindurwa Itegeko Nshinga, ndetse ngo hakaba haragiye hifashishwa ikibazo kigira giti: Murashaka ko Perezida Kagame akomeza kuyobora Abanyarwanda? , aho kubaza ngo Mwaba mushaka ko Itegeko Nshinga twitoreye ryubahirizwa? aha bakagaragaza ko ibyakozwe ari ukuyobora abaturage mu gutanga igisubizo abo bayobozi bishakiraga. Bavuga kandi ko n’ubwo hari benshi baba baranditse basaba ko Itegeko Nshinga rihindurwa, hari abandi batabisabye kandi ngo ari inshingano z’Iryo Tegeko Nshinga kuba ryarengera abo bake batumva ibintu kimwe n’abandi n’iyo baba babaruta mu bwinshi. Bagaragaza kandi ko hari ibyabaye mu mateka y’u Rwanda bikwiye kuba isomo ryo kubahiriza amategeko. Bagaragarije urukiko ko mu mwaka w’1972, abaturage nabwo basabye ko Perezida wariho icyo gihe; Gregoire Kayibanda yakongererwa indi manda ya gatatu ari nayo yaje gukurura ibibazo bya Politiki byaje kuba intandaro yo kumuhitana, ndetse bakavuga ko ibyifuzo n’ibitekerezo by’abaturage bidakwiye gushingirwaho hafatwa ibyemezo bikomeye, ahubwo bakwiye kuyoborwa n’Itegeko Nshinga. Ishyaka Green Party ritakomwe mu nkokora n’amagambo yavugiwe mu nteko yasaga n’aho yirengagije ko hari n’abadashaka impinduka mu itegeko Nshinga ubu ngo iriteguye ihagaze bwuma, umunyamategeko yamaze kumubona kuri uyu wa gatatu uje tariki ya 29 Nyakanga 2015 iraburana na Leta isaba ko Itegeko Nshinga ry’u Rwanda ritahinduka. Source: http://imirasire.com/amakuru-yose/amakuru-mashya/mu-rwanda/article/ishyaka-green-party-ryabonye-umuterankunga-ukomeye-mu-rubanza-rwo-guhangana-n-uko-itegeko-nshinga-ry-u-rwanda-ritahinduka

lundi 27 juillet 2015

Umuryango uharanira uburenganzira bwa muntu mu Rwanda (Center for Human Rights) wagobotse ushyigikira ishyaka riharanira Demokarasi no kurengera ibidukikije (DGPR) mu rubanza riregamo Leta y’u Rwanda ku ivugururwa ry’Itegeko Nshinga. Nk’uko byagaragajwe mu mwanzuro ‘Amicus Curiae’ ushyigikira DGPR muri urwo rubanza, uyu muryango wavuze ko ikirego cy’iryo shyaka gifite ishingiro kandi ko Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rufite ubushobozi bwo kuburanisha iki kirego. Mu ngingo 38 uyu muryango wagaragaje nk’izashingiweho mu gutanga gushyigikira Green Party (DGPR), wavuze ko leta y’u Rwanda yagize uruhare mu gukangurira abaturage gusaba ko ingingo ya 101 yavugururwa. Ukomeza uvuga ko leta ishobora kuregwa ku guhindura ingingo ya 101 bitewe n’uko byagaragaye ko hari ababigizemo uruhare bakoresheje umwanya bafite muri leta, bagakora ubukangurambaga kimwe n’abaturage. Uko kugoboka k’umuryango uharanira uburenganzira bwa muntu kunagaragaza ko abakozi ba leta barimo abayobozi b’uturere, aba Minisitiri ndetse n’intumwa za rubanda zagiye zikangurira abaturage kwitabira ku bwinshi kwandika inyandiko zisaba ko ingingo ya 101 y’Itegeko Nshinga yavugururwa. Izi nshuti z’urukiko zavuze ko Itegeko Nshinga ari igitabo gikomeye cy’abanyarwanda hakirindwa amarangamutima bitewe n’uko riba ari iry’Abanyarwanda baba ibisekuru bya mbere, abahari ndetse no ku bisekuru bizakurikira, bityo aha akaba ari ho urukiko rushinzwe kurinda iri tegeko rwagakwiye kureba inyungu zihuriweho, atari iz’umuntu umwe cyangwa itsinda runaka. Iki kirego gikomeza kigaragaza ko urukiko rushinzwe kurengera Itegeko Nshinga rwagakwiye kuzirikana ko nta muntu ushobora kwitwa ko ari we wenyine wagenwe n’Imana ngo ayobore u Rwanda. Uwo muryango ugaragaza ko ibibazo byabajijwe abaturage hagamijwe kumenya niba bifuza ko Perezida Kagame akomeza kubayobora, byabajijwe nabi bitewe n’inyungu za bamwe. Centre for Human Rights ivuga ko ubajije iki kibazo umuturage adashobora kwanga Perezida bitewe n’uko nta kibazo bafitanye, ari na ho ngo Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rwagakwiye kwinjiramo rukabuza amarangamutima y’abaturage ku Itegeko Nshinga ry’igihugu. Urubanza rwa DGPR na Leta y’u Rwanda ku ivugururwa ry’Itegeko Nshinga ruzaburanishwa kuwa Gatatu tariki ya 29 Nyakanga 2015 mu Rukiko rw’Ikirenga, iryo shyaka rikaba ritangaza ko ryamaze kubona umunyamategeko uzariburanira. Source: http://www.igihe.com/politiki/amakuru/article/center-for-human-rights-yagobotse

lundi 27 juillet 2015

The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda is pleased to inform the entire public and members of the media that the Centre for Human Rights Rwanda has submitted to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Rwanda an ‘Amicus Curiae’ as friends of the court, a legal statement supporting the case of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda versus the State, against the lifting of term limits from the Rwandan Constitution. The Supreme Court hearing will be on this Wednesday, 29th July 2015 at 09:00 AM. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda has successfully contracted a new lawyer, whom it hopes will ably represent it in this Supreme Court hearing. The Centre for Human Rights Rwanda has a vested interest and cause in the above-mentioned case as an organization Registered in Rwanda and serving interests of Rwandans. The Centre for Human Rights – Rwanda is willing to offer pro-bono support to the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda in their endeavor to request the Supreme Court of the Republic of Rwanda to give a legal opinion on the ongoing discussion, petitioning and Parliamentary consultations, building up to a potential Referendum for the modification of Article 101 of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda. STATEMENT OF THE AMICUS CURIAE This Amicus Curiae is submitted in support of the petition by the ‘Democratic Green Party of Rwanda’s to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Rwanda, requesting a ruling on the possible change of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda, especially in its Section 101, on Presidential term limits. The Centre for Human Rights Rwanda is not affiliated to the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda; The Centre for Human Rights Rwanda submits this Amicus Curiae brief as part of its mission to conduct Public Interest Litigation in Rwanda; The Centre for Human Rights Rwanda believes that this initiative and the subsequent ruling by the Supreme Court of the Republic of Rwanda will contribute to the Jurisprudence in our country and beyond; The Centre for Human Rights envisions a Rwandan Supreme Court that is more active and pedagogic in advising the executive on how to govern in accordance with the Laws of Rwanda, and the Legislature on the implications of their resolutions in the face of international law, especially the conventions to which Rwanda is a party; The Centre for Human Rights Rwanda believes that this legal initiative by the Democratic Green Party is healthy for the growth of our insipient democracy and rule of law; The Centre for Human Rights Does not accept any implications for intervening as Amicus Curiae in a third party case, with the sole aim of promoting the rule of law in Rwanda MERITES AND ARGUMENTS Merits The Supreme Court of Rwanda, being the highest court of the land, serves, as the Constitutional Court in Rwanda, and is competent to hear all matters pertaining to the interpretation of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda as per its Section 145. 2. Art. 6(3) of the LAW N°21/2012 OF 14/06/2012 RELATING TO THE CIVIL, COMMERCIAL, LABOUR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE, prescribes that: ‘Judges cannot refuse to decide a case on any pretext, even if the law is silent on the matter, obscure or insufficient.’ The august Court may therefore not deny justice to the Appellant, without orienting him on the more competent jurisdiction. Further International jurisprudence is provided herein to buttress this submission. 3. The State may be sued for the petitioning process requesting a referendum for the change of Section 101 of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda as several government officials have used their position and capacity to campaign with the public for petitions in that respect. 4. Ministers, Legislators and Mayors are on record campaigning in favor of extending presidential terms. In the eyes of the Rwandan public, and indeed in our own eyes, there is no difference between a government official speaking on behalf of the government or in his individual capacity as a regular citizen. 5. Political parties in the government coalition have issued statements in favor of extending presidential terms. 6. It is the Friend of the Court’s submission that the government, through a number of its representatives has erred in campaigning with the public to petition for something that is explicitly prohibited by the Constitution, and may be sued. 7. The number of Presidential Terms may not be changed as per Sections 101 and 193 of the Rwandan Constitution. The reading of its Section 193 indicates that the only modification possible, inter alia, through referendum is of the ‘term’ – as opposed to the ‘terms’ of the President of the Republic. In other words, a referendum may be organized to shorten or extend the years of a term, as opposed to increasing or decreasing the number of terms that a President of the Republic is allowed to stand. Arguments 8. ‘We the People of Rwanda’ in the preamble of the Constitution does not refer solely to the current public opinion, but to the Rwandan people; past, present and future, whom all have a stake in our Constitution, and it is our submission that it is the role of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Rwanda to safeguard their interests. 9. A strong Constitution is immutable in principle. Opinio juris define constitutions as aspirational, foresighted monuments that serve to enlighten citizens, and, at times trump public opinion in the interest of highest common values. 10. ‘Historically, constitutionalism was a product of the age of enlightenment. It was associated with the overthrow of arbitrary power and the attempt to ensure that government functioned according to established principles and in the light of enduring values […] that no one had God-given rights to rule over others’ Albie Sachs J in Makwenyane [389] 11. ‘The Constitution is both a monument which celebrates and a memorial which commemorates [ ]’ Du Plessis (‘The South African Constitution as memory and promise’ (2000) Stellenbosch Law Review 385-394) 12. ‘We the people of Rwanda’, does not merely mean the current electorate or public opinion. The term ‘We the people’, encompasses who we are; our history, our strength and our weakness, our condition, our forefathers and descendants. By making that pledge, we put all our mind and energy together. The idea of a strong Rwandan will is realized. 13. Those who petitioned may be referred to as public opinion. The people of Rwanda include our forefathers, children, whom while have not petitioned, shall be affected by any decisions to change one of the leading principles upon which our constitution is founded. 14. The constitution versus the will of the people: The constitution also has the duty to thwart the will of the people in some instances where, driven by subjective political consideration, the people may err. 15. The question for the petition has been misleading: The question was posed as follows: ‘Would you like president Paul Kagame to continue leading Rwandans?’ Given his undeniable achievements, president Paul Kagame is understandably popular and there are no social, political or economic grounds upon which the majority of the people may feel ready to rid themselves of him. 16. The manner in which the question is posed, suggests that under the current legal dispensation the terms of the president may be extended, even waived; Our humble submission is that such action is prohibited by Section 193 of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda. 17. However, had the question been posed correctly as follows: Do we, Rwandans want the respect of our paramount constitution? Where it may not change to fit timely interests, including of incumbents? How would the answer have been then? It is our belief that the answer would have been Yes, because indeed, everyone aspires to a strong, predictable and trustworthy constitution. 18. Those who petitioned used their democratic right, and posed the question in a manner they saw fit. However, this opinion aims to bring to the fore, the other side of the story. It seeks to initiate a principled judicial dialogue, where beyond passions and public pressure, we examine the essence of the limitation of presidential terms in a retrospective, but also foresighted fashion. 19. Brought in the court of law, both parties have equality of arms. While those who petitioned to change the constitution were many in numbers, it is also the duty of the Constitution, and indeed the Supreme Court of the Republic of Rwanda, to protect minority rights and views – sometimes against majority will. 20. An opinion reached in our favor, namely, advising against the change of Section 101 of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda, shall not be undemocratic, in the sense that the Rwandan people have, in their majority, through the constitutional Referendum of the 26th May 2003, legitimized the judiciary to act, not in respect of public opinion, but on the letter of the law and their conscience. 21. In State v Makwenyane, 1995, the South African Constitutional Court took a decision, which was contrary to public opinion and ruled against the death penalty[1]. 22. Secondly, in National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality and others v The Minister of Justice and others[2], confirming a judgement by Ackermann J, decriminalising homosexuality; by repealing, inter alia, section 20A of the Sexual offences Act; included “sodomy” as an item in Schedule 1 of the same act[3] In this last judgement the court repealed existing statute, enacted by parliament and made legislation directly from the bench. 23. In both cases, the Attorney General, representing the South African Government argued the position of the public opinion, but failed to sway Judges of the Constitutional Court. The final rulings were indeed against public opinion. Many legal scholars argue that that is when ‘the Court becomes supreme’! 24. In these submissions, South African Jurisprudence will be extensively cited. The reason for privileging South African Jurisprudence is that Rwandan and South African constitutions stem from a similar historical standpoint. They are both reactions to oppression, crafted to ensure that what happened in the past never happens again. Accordingly, they are both aspirations to an open and democratic society based on principles of Justice, equality and freedom. 25. Also, like its South African Counterpart, the Rwandan government has, at times, taken decisions that were contrary to public opinion. Indeed in the aftermath of the Genocide, the Rwandan government decided to abolish the death penalty. 26. Not least, Rwanda transcended regional prejudice and prevailing social stigma locally, to refrain from criminalizing homosexuality. 27. The decisions and their timing were most unpopular. Yet, the government of the Republic of Rwanda used foresight to trump public opinion and uphold human rights values. 28. This opinion is submitted to the august court in the same vein, with the same expectations. 29. Historical facts, especially in our country, inform us that pubic opinion is fickle, subjective, swayable and, at times, shortsighted. The constitution, as a foundation of our Republic; a pillar of our Democratic system, serves to mitigate such timely agitations aiming at diverting the society from the course, as intended by the founders of our way of life, towards a government based on the rule of law and respect of institutions. 30. While our constitution is not holy writ, it is a monument, immutable in principle. A historical interpretation must occur, in the sense that ‘We’, the Rwandan people are aware of the past dents that were made to our constitution in the interest of incumbents. 31. In 1972, public opinion requested former president Grégoire Kayibanda to stand for a third term in office. 32. That such historical fact has not surfaced in the current debate, in spite of its relevance regarding the extension of presidential terms, underpins the rational of this submission. 33. The request was submitted to parliament in a fashion that is arguably quite similar to the one currently ongoing. Such past request may make no sense to the modern-day Rwandan, yet was massively popular at the time. 34. I see a pattern, in which Rwandan leaders manage to make themselves so popular, that the electorate fails to see beyond them. 35. Therefore, the Rwandan public opinion shouldn’t be trusted to make dispassionate decisions. They should be guided by an unshakable pillar of wisdom; which is their Constitution. 36. As regards the prevailing argument in the public opinion, that the makers of our constitution could not have given more weight to limiting ‘terms of the President of the Republic’, and less weight to ‘the system of democratic government based on political pluralism, or the constitutional regime established by this Constitution especially the republican form of the government or national sovereignty’ 37. It is our submission that as a constitution whose main intent was to ensure that never again should the tragedies such as the Genocide Against the Tutsi occur in our country, by putting in place measures that prevent political actions that led to its occurrence, the legislator feared prolonged rules more than the advent of a monarchy, or even possible alienation of Rwandan territory; the last two being more unlikely in their eyes. 38. In fine, we would like to close our brief with a quote from former South African Chief Justice Mahomed J, who explained constitutional supremacy in the following ringing tones: in S v Acheson 1991 2 SA 805 (Nm) 813A-C: ‘(T)he Constitution of a nation is not simply a statute which mechanically defines the structures of government and the relations between the government and the governed. It is a “mirror reflecting the national soul”, the identification of the ideals and aspirations of a nation; the articulation of the values bonding its people’. He pursues in S v Makwanyane 1995 3 SA 391 (CC) para 262 Mahomed J referred to a supreme constitution ‘All constitutions seek to articulate, with differing degrees of intensity and detail, the shared aspirations of a nation; the values which bind its people, […] the constitutional limits and the conditions upon which that power is to be exercised; the national ethos which defines and regulates that ethos; and the moral and ethical direction which that nation has identified for its future. In some countries, the Constitution only formalises, in a legal instrument, a historical consensus of values and aspirations evolved incrementally from a stable and unbroken past to accommodate the needs of the future [The constitution] is a vigorous identification of and commitment to a democratic, universalistic, caring and aspirationally egalitarian ethos, expressly articulated in the Constitution.’ CONCLUSION: The Centre for Human Rights Rwanda prays to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Rwanda to uphold the submissions of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda; To advise Rwandans in general, Political Parties and the Rwanda Parliament in particular on the illegality of their petitions and resolutions regarding the change of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda. Alternatively, to offer a legal opinion on the legality or none thereof of the modification Art. 101 and possible extension of Terms of the President of the Republic. So may please the Court. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED By: Me. Gatete Thierry Kevin LLB Law, LLM Human Rights and Democratisation for Africa on behalf of Centre for Human Rights – Rwanda (CHR-R) Amicus Curiae CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE AND SERVICE Persuant to Art 16 and 17 of the LAW N°21/2012 OF 14/06/2012 RELATING TO THE CIVIL, COMMERCIAL, LABOUR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE, the undersigned hereby certifies that Amicus Curiae Brief served to all parties, namely: The State and the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda in print version and via Electronic mail, to the physical and electronic addresses of the State, represented by the Attorney General; and the Democratic Green Party, represented by its President and its Counsel. The Registrar in Chief of the Supreme Court has been copied in the above-mentioned mails [1]in the Constitutional Court of South Africa The State v. T Makwanyane and M Mchunu, 1995, Case CCT/3/94 [2]in the Constitutional Court of South Africa: The National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality and The South African Human Rights Commission v The Minister of Justice and others, Case CCT 11/98 [3] Republic of South Africa: Criminal Procedure Act, 1977

mercredi 8 juillet 2015

Rwanda’s Supreme Court today accepted to adjourn the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda’s case against the change of the constitution to 29th July 2015, after the lawyer failed to turn up. DGPR has had challenges in getting legal representation in Court as most of the lawyers contacted gave different reasons for not taking on the case. Some cited fear, personal reasons and unanimous threats, as reasons preventing them to take on the case. It was equally shocking this morning when the lawyer who had spent several weeks with the dossier also failed to turn up. This led to the prosecution demanding punishments for the party and the lawyer. Party Representatives, requested for more time in order to find more lawyers and if necessary from the neighboring countries. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda had filed a lawsuit to the Supreme Court on 3rd of June 2015, demanding the Court to Block Parliament from any future plans of changing the constitution, specifically, regarding the lifting of presidential term limits from the Constitution. Article 101 of the constitution stipulates that: ‘The President of the Republic is elected for a term of seven years renewable only once. Under no circumstances shall a person hold the office of President of Republic for more than two terms’. DGPR strongly believes that Article 193, concerning amendments to the Constitution, does not allow the change of term limits from the stated two (2) to any other number. The Article only allows a reduction or an increase on the lengths of the term of office, which in this case is seven (7) years. This can be reduced to either five or be increased from seven to any other number for example eight (8). Article, 193, clearly states that, ‘ …if the constitutional amendment concerns the term of the President of the Republic…., the amendment must be passed by referendum….’ This article, clarifies that, the concerned term of office for the President, is the one of seven years and not any other thing else. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda demanded the Supreme Court: To order the Rwandan Parliament not to change Article 101 of the Constitution; To confirm that no referendum is required for those wishing to remove term limits from the Constitution; To confirm that Article 193 does not allow the amendment of Article 101 regarding the number of terms of office of the President of the Republic of Rwanda; To confirm that Article 101 is Intangible (ntayegayezwa) and cannot be changed by a referendum; To confirm that, the term of office of the President, mentioned in Article 193, does not concern the number of times, a President can be elected for but the lengths of the term of office of the President, which is currently 7 years and can be reduced to five years or increased to 8 years; To provide in-depths interpretation of Article 101 and 193 of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda was officially launched on 14th August 2009 as an opposition party. It got official registration on 9th August 2013 and accepted as a member of the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations in Rwanda on 3rd April 2014. DGPR’s Status were published in the official gazette of the Republic of Rwanda on 4th August 2014. Done at Kigali on 8th July 2015 Dr.Frank Habineza President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda