PUBLIC AI Index: AFR 47/003/2007

8 March 2007

UA 58/07 Medical Concern

RWANDA Idesbald Byabuze Katabaruka (m), Congolese national

Law professor Idesbald Byabuze Katabaruka was arrested on 16 February, and charged on 23 February with “threatening state security” and “discrimination and sectarianism”. A magistrate has ruled that he can be held for up to 30 days before his trial begins, and this can be extended. He is held in Kigali Central Prison where he is not receiving essential food and medication for a stomach condition. His health is deteriorating daily.

Idesbald Byabuze Katabaruka has suffered from a serious stomach condition for most of his adult life. He been operated on and three quarters of his stomach removed. His condition requires a special diet and medication. He is currently receiving neither, despite his requests to the prison authorities.

Idesbald Byabuze Katabaruka is a professor at the Catholic University of Bukavu, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, near the border with Rwanda. When he was arrested he was teaching a law course at a university in the Rwandan capital, Kigali.

The Rwandan public prosecutor issued the charges in relation to several public documents which Idesbald Byabuze Katabaruka had allegedly written or co-authored, including an article entitled Alerte Rwanda (“Rwanda Warning”). The article, published an African current affairs website in June 2005, was an overview of human rights concerns in Rwanda. It was highly critical of the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The arrest of Idesbald Byabuze Katabaruka is part of a pattern of harassment and intimidation of civil society by the Rwandan authorities. Independent newspapers such as Umuco and Umuseso have regularly been verbally threatened, arbitrary arrested, harassed and intimidated by the Rwandan authorities.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English, French or your own language:

- expressing concern that Congolese law professor Idesbald Byabuze Katabaruka was arrested on 16 February, and is not receiving essential food and medication for his stomach condition;

- calling on the authorities to ensure that Idesbald Byabuze Katabaruka is brought to trial without delay and in full compliance with international fair trial standards;

- stating that unless the authorities have sufficient admissible evidence to try him, they must release him immediately.

APPEALS TO:

Minister of Internal Security

Sheikh Fazil Musa Harerimana

Ministère de la Securité Intérieur

BP 446

Kigali

Rwanda

Fax: +250 58 43 73

Salutation: Monsieur le Ministre

Minister of Justice

Monsieur Tharcisse Karugarama

Ministère de la Justice

BP 160

Kigali

Rwanda

Fax: +250 58 65 09

Salutation: Monsieur le Ministre

COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of Rwanda accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 19 April 2007.