Parliament has raised concern over rampant abuse and denial of human rights following the recent release of a report by the Human Rights Commission for Rwanda.

MPs faulted some justice departments for failure to attend in time or establish sustainable policies to curb recurrent issues that have seen an increasing number of inmate deaths, longer pre-trial detentions and overcrowded prisons.

The annual report on human rights for 2012-2013 shows death cases — resulting from violence, family conflicts, property disputes and drug related abuse –relatively increased, as did periodic illegal detentions, domestic violence and other rights violations.

However, Esperance Nyirasafari noted that the report showed commendable levels of follow-ups on cases pertaining to illegal detention. She nonetheless faulted a lack of partnership with other institutions, including the National Public Prosecution Authority, to develop long-term remedies.

“It is very painful to be imprisoned without being informed of the charges against you, at the same time taking longer to appear before courts,” she said. “Justice delayed is justice denied; the commission should ensure regular monitoring of these issues and propose sustainable solutions.”

Ms Nyirasafari urged the commission to approach the Prosecution and work on expedition of these cases through mobile courts.

“The Prosecution had established mobile courts that studied detainees’ files and submitted them to the relevant courts; why doesn’t it apply for these similar issues in prison, so that these people get to know their fate as early as possible?” she posed.

MPs equally expressed their discomfort with reports that prisons were overcrowded, translating into mistreatment, persistent suffering and human rights violations of inmates.

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Sebera Mukamurangwa said different conventions stipulate different standards of life in prison, which were not observed accordingly in Rwanda.

“We want the commission to make it a priority for these standards to be observed accordingly and that everybody plays their role,” she said. “There is a need for proper planning to have prisons extended or construct new ones.”

Responding to the issues raised, Madeleine Nirere, the chairperson of the commission, maintained that the body monitored the respect of human rights in every category.

These include the right to protection against unlawful arrest and detention, self-defence and legal representation in courts, a fair trial that is just, transparent and is done within reasonable time and also right to a trial by competent courts.

Incomplete files

“Contrary to previous cases where some people were detained with no court files, the situation has dramatically changed today; cases received concern only people with incomplete files,” said Ms Nirere.

According to her, many of these cases applied to genocide suspects who were arrested and imprisoned in various penitentiaries across the country but added that an ad hoc committee was set up deliberately to check into that.

“It is a joint committee comprising our commissioners and prosecutors, police and local government leaders,” she said. “Earlier, we did a report on those incomplete court files with all details, including prisons where these suspects were detained, and the committee followed them up.

“That saw some of the detainees being released. It is an ongoing process and we hope the whole issue will come to an end very soon.”