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Promoting Free, Responsible and Accountable Media
RWANDA MEDIA COMMISSION (RMC) CONCERNED BY THE ARREST OF
JOURNALIST BESABESA MIVUMBI ETIENNE IN BURUNDI
After learning that a journalist who has been working for three media houses in
Rwanda namely Radio Izuba, Radio Flash and Igihe.com, who goes by the
names BESABESA MIVUMBI Etienne, was arrested by the security agencies of
Burundi since Monday, June 08, 2015;
Following confirmation by the management of Radio Izuba that the
aforementioned journalist had gone to cover a story on the influx of Rwandans
and Burundians in Gahara Sector, Kirehe district;
Considering that the management of Radio Izuba confirms that several citizens
of Burundi said that they witnessed the arrest of journalist BESABESA
MIVUMBI Etienne in Commune GITERANYI, which borders Rwanda and later
transferred to Muyinga;
Based on the premise that Rwanda Media Commission (RMC) supports and
defends the the December 10, 1948 Universal Human Rights Declaration
especially in its Article 19, and the December 16, 1966 International Covenant
on Civil and Political Rights especially its Article 99 as well as the June 27,
1981 African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights, particularly its Article 9;
Based on the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda of June 04, 2003, as it
has been amended to date, especially in its Article 34, Section 1 and based on
Law n°02/2013 of 08/02/2013 regulating the Media in Rwanda, especially in
its Articles 12 and 15 regarding the rights of journalists to collect and access
information, and also based on the provisions of the Rwanda Journalists and
Media Practitioners Code of Ethics;
Rwanda Media Commission (RMC) is deeply concerned by the arrest of the
Rwandan Journalist BESABESA MIVUMBI Etienne, and requests Rwandan
security organs to urgently cooperate with their Burundian counterparts in
following with the issue of the detained journalist.
Rwanda Media Commission (RMC) urges Burundian authorities to ensure the
security of the journalist BESABESA MIVUMBI Etienne and his work
equipment and urges them to release him with immediate effect.
P.O.BOX: 2136 Kigali, RWANDA
E-mail: info@rmc.org.rw
TEL: (+250) 280078888
www.rmc.org.rw
TOLL FREE: 3536
Twitter: @RMC_Rwanda
Rwanda Media Commission is the Media Self-Regulatory Body in Rwanda
instructed by Law Regulating Media and established by all Rwandan
journalists in their General Assembly of 27/8/2013.
The Self-Regulatory Body is mandated to Protect journalists, regulate their
conduct and the daily functioning of media and advocate for media freedom in
Rwanda as stipulated by Articles 2, 3, 4, 15 and 21 of the Law Regulating
Media in Rwanda.
Done at Kigali on June 09, 2015
CLEOPHAS BARORE
Ag. Chairman
RWANDA MEDIA COMMISSION
P.O.BOX: 2136 Kigali, RWANDA
E-mail: info@rmc.org.rw
TEL: (+250) 280078888
www.rmc.org.rw
TOLL FREE: 3536
Twitter: @RMC_Rwanda