Inmates complain of delays in court processes

MUHANGA - Members of Parliament yesterday met inmates at Gitama prison and called for human rights awareness in detention centres. The MPs, on the Human Rights Parliamentary Committee, were led by Theobald Mporanyi, also urged Muhanga district leaders to foster unity and fight genocide ideology. “There is need to see that justice is being done and the commission is interested in seeing that human rights are respected,” Mporanyi stated. “Rwandans need to be aware of various legislations and criminal procedures should be followed in order to respect the rights of criminals and suspects.” The legislators toured the Gitarama prison, Nyamabuye Police Station, and Kabgayi Genocide Memorial site before holding talks with district officials. The MPs met inmates who complained that gacaca courts delay to dispose of cases even when one has confessed to a crime. They also complained of poor sanitation, water shortages and clothing. The infants living in prison with their mothers are living under alarming conditions due to lack of space, and proper care; female inmates said. Prosecution and Prison officials explained that some of the cases have been delayed due to transfers and lack of follow up on cases from respective districts. Mporanyi explained that they had visited them in order to solve their problems but implored the inmates to reform, and foster unity and reconciliation. District Mayor, Yvonne Mutakwasuku told the commission that the district lacks a genocide memorial site, saying the only existing Kabagyi Memorial site is in a sorry state and needs to be upgraded to proper standards. The MPs have been visiting the other districts in the province adressing similar cases. Ends