Activists from civil societies are calling on the Government to revise the law on access to information in Rwanda.

The call comes after an assessment carried out by different civil society organisations, which showed a number of challenges and gaps in terms of access to information, for instance minimum disclosure and unwillingness to provide information among other challenges.

According to the law N° 04/2013 of 08/02/2013, access to information is not only a right but also a necessary condition for the complementarity of various institutions including the state and non-state actors for the good of the people.

Crescence Mukantabana, a human rights activist, said that the assessment helped them to recognise the gaps and that this information is a start for awareness around cross cutting issues.

"We have evidence of the gaps so we can push for changes in regards to the several challenges that were highlighted,” she said.

Among the gaps that were highlighted, there was the issue of lack of punishment for those who failed to comply with what the law requires.

"Punishing people who don't give information will be a solution to some of the gaps in access to information,” she said.

Mireille Tuyishimire, a journalist, said that one of the challenges journalists face is lack of access to information, and failing to get information from sources on time.

She pointed out the case of sources from rural places especially, who are sometimes condemned for giving out information.

"There should be awareness around giving information for the public and officials. And if need be, punishing those who refuse to comply. For the amendment of the law, this aspect of punishing those who don’t give information needs to be included,” she said.

The Executive Director of Centre for Rule of Law in Rwanda (CERULAR), John Mudakikwa, said that, "there is a gap in the law ever since it was established, especially that it doesn't mention anything about the punishment to those who refuse to provide information.”

He added that the law should also be able to indicate information which is confidential and that which is not.

Mudakikwa added that there is a challenge with public relations officers also not having authority to give information, yet they are in office as those in charge of public relations.

"There should be an institution in charge of following up the implementation of this law,” he said.

According to the Media Policy Analyst at the Ministry of Local Government, Peace Maker Mbungiramihigo, without doubt, Rwanda has made significant progress regarding the promotion of access to information over the last decade, and that this includes putting in place a conducive legal and policy framework such as access to information law.

He however also highlighted that lack of punishment under the information law, noting that people need to be accountable.

"Resolutions from the assessment will be considered in revising the law and conducting awareness. Rwandans must be comfortable and share information as long as there is no violation in the rights of the public,” he added.