Rwanda's peaceful elections a big loss to HRW

Author: Lindah Uwase

• 2024-06-09 05:30:00

For Human Rights Watch (HRW) to stay relevant to its financiers, it often needs to produce damning reports about rights abuses or create situations that portray a government as repressive or autocratic.

This is exactly what HRW attempted when it sent its senior researcher, Clémentine de Montjoye, to Rwanda under false pretenses well knowing she would not be allowed entry.

The Rwandan government clarified that she had misrepresented the purpose of her visit. HRW’s intention seemed clear: provoke a denial of entry to justify issuing statements that would secure more funding.

To understand this better, we can look back seven years to another Rwandan election period. Ahead of the 2017 presidential elections in Rwanda, HRW released a report listing Rwandans allegedly killed by the government. The timing of such a report was aimed at creating a global outcry and condemnation of Rwanda or even result in an internal uprising ahead of the elections.

However, Rwandan authorities conducted a counter-investigation and found that all the individuals HRW claimed were dead were actually alive and safe, either in their homes or relocated to different areas. However, HRW did not correct its errors – an implication that it was not a mistake but a deliberate move.

HRW targets RPF-led government

The most important human rights include the right to life, equality before the law, the right to health, freedom from torture, non-discrimination, the right to education, and freedom of movement. Ever since President Paul Kagame came to power, he has ensured that all Rwandans have their rights respected equally.

Kagame’s commitment to human rights has been a challenge for HRW. He has done everything right. As a result, HRW can't find anything substantial to criticize in Rwanda.

For an organization like HRW, having nothing to report on a well-organized, rapidly developing country like Rwanda is a significant setback, making it hard for HRW to mobilize resources.

As Rwanda approaches the 2024 elections, Kagame will be running again – a prospect that does not sit well with HRW and its minders. There is a lot of consensus rather than confrontation. Too much peace in Rwanda than violence.

Among these achievements are an advanced agricultural sector that has helped Rwandans obtain adequate yield, ensuring food security locally.

Nearly 98 per cent of all Rwandans have full access to universal medical care. The construction of roads connecting all corners of the country with neighboring countries tremendously facilitated trade that benefits everyone.

Rwanda is now working toward reducing its dependence on foreign aid, helping people realize their potential for self-development.

Under Kagame’s leadership Rwanda has benefited tremendously from international relations and attracted foreign investments that employed millions of Rwandans.

Rwanda has become a global champion of women’s empowerment and promoting women’s rights. Education, skills development, social protection, social diversity, and dissent settlements are among the many achievements Kagame has made.

Kagame will hit the campaign trail with an emphasis on sustaining what has been achieved, and doing more.

For HRW, these achievements are a setback to an organization that receives an average of $100 million in annual donations. As a result, HRW has to do everything possible, including manufacturing all sorts of lies, to attempt to discourage Kagame and Rwandans from achieving more.