Foreign Affairs minister meets EU envoys

KIGALI - The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Rosemary Museminali, Friday the met with EU Heads of Mission accredited to Rwanda. The upcoming elections, human rights and press issues was high on agenda. “This was a meeting that was requested in the framework of our European–African collaboration,” the minister explained. The EU delegation was headed by Christian Clages, the German Ambassador. In her opening remarks, Museminali explained that there were three particular issues to discuss but emphasized that, “we don’t have to stick to these.” “How do we make this a local agenda?” the minister asked. She explained that this was a wide topic that might be discussed further at a later date but emphasized the need to talk about it. “We can set the ball rolling.” On the parliamentary elections scheduled for 15 September 2008, Museminali explained that preparations are in progress. The EU will monitor the elections. “We have furthermore discussed some draft laws which are under consideration in the parliament,” Ambassador Clages said after the closed-door meeting. He also hinted on the possibility of bringing in a European observer mission. The minister pointed out that progress is being made in the area of human rights. “We feel that our government has taken real demonstrable steps,” the minister said. “We are conforming to international laws.” She observed that important human rights issues such as the rights to education, health, shelter and other fundamental and basic human rights should not be ignored. “This is an area we never talk about yet it partly conforms to the rights of our people,” she stressed. On press freedom, Museminali explained that Rwanda was improving but was quick to point out that, “we have issues just like in other sectors.” The minister admitted the issue still faces various challenges, “especially in their capacity.” “Despite all that, we have seen the press as a sector registering growth,” she said. The Government is reportedly designing programs to improve capacity of the media sector and a new press law is also under revision in parliament. “We have stressed that the press should not be used to weaken, divide and misinform Rwandans,” Museminali pointed out. Rwanda’s relations with the EU also featured much in the meeting. “We want to share and see how we can entrench this relationship,” Museminali pointed out. “It is very healthy to have discussions and look at issues particular to our concerns.” The critical issue of revisionists and genocide fugitives in Europe was also discussed. The Rwandan side urged the EU envoys to do much more in fighting revisionist tendencies. “They should not use their countries because their attacks are baseless,” Museminali explained after the meeting. Accordingly, steps to curtail the continued genocide ideology have been taken especially in the UK, France and Holland where arrests have been made. Present at the meeting were the ministers of Information and justice, Louise Mushikiwabo and Tharcisse Karugarama respectively. Others present were Dr. Richard Sezibera, the President’s Envoy in the Great Lakes region, and Damien Bizumuremyi, the Executive Secretary of the Electoral Commission. Ends