The World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) and the World Editors Forum (WEF) have asked the President of Rwanda, Paul Kigame, to initiate an investigation into the murder of journalist Jean Leonard Rugambage and bring the murderers to justice.
Mr Rugambage, the acting Editor-in-chief of the Umuvugizi weekly newspaper, was shot and killed on 24 June in an attack that appears to be directly related to his work. On the morning of his death, he had published an article alleging that Rwandan security officials were involved in the attempted murder of a former Rwandan General, Kayumba Nyamwasa, in South Africa. Mr Rugambage had expressed concern to a friend of being followed by armed men the day before his death.
The situation has been steadily worsening for journalists and the independent press in Rwanda ahead of presidential elections that are due to take place in August 2010. Umuvugizi was suspended in April, along with another weekly title, Umuseso. Journalists have been placed under surveillance, while a reporter for Umuvugizi was attacked after interviewing an opposition leader.
In a letter to President Paul Kigame, WAN-IFRA urged the Rwandan leader to instigate a thorough investigation into Mr Rugambage¹s murder, and called on him to ensure a safe environment ³in which journalists are able to carry out their professional duties without fear of violence.
Read the full letter read:
"We are writing on behalf of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) and the World Editors Forum, which represent 18,000 publications, 15,000 online sites and over 3,000 companies in more than 120 countries, to express our serious concern about the murder of editor Jean Leonard Rugambage.
"According to reports, Mr Rugambage, the acting editor of the Umuvugizi newspaper, was shot outside his home on June 24 and died later in hospital. Mr Rugambage recently published an article on the Umuvugizi website alleging that Rwandan officials were involved in the attempted murder of a former Rwandan general, Faustin Kayumba Nyamwasa, in South Africa on June 19, 2010.
"We are seriously concerned that his death may be related to publication of this article. Furthermore, we are concerned that the environment for journalists and news publishers is worsening ahead of the presidential elections due to take place in August 2010. This trend can be illustrated by the closure of two independent newspapers, Umuseso and Umuvugizi, journalists being reportedly put under surveillance and a journalist being attacked after carrying out an interview with an opposition party member. According to reports, Mr Rugambage complained to a friend of being under constant surveillance before his death.
"We respectfully remind you that it is the duty of the state to provide an environment in which journalists are able to carry out their professional duties without fear of violence.
"We respectfully call on you to ensure that the murder of Jean Leonard Rugambage is thoroughly investigated and that those responsible are quickly brought to justice. We urge you to do everything possible to ensure the safety of journalists."