4th ctober 2009

To this day, President Paul KAGAME has not responded to the request by Counsel representing Laurent NKUNDA for a meeting to discuss his arbitrary detention in Kigali.

For the record, NKUNDA’s lawyers requested this meeting by official letter delivered to the Presidency on 24 September last, with the aim of working with the President of the Republic of Rwanda in finding a solution to this deadlock.

Besides, even though the motion seeking the release of Laurent NKUNDA MIHIGO filed before the High Military Court was duly accepted by the Registrar, no hearing date has yet been scheduled to examine the grounds for his detention by the Republic of Rwanda since 23 January.

Consequently, NKUNDA’s lawyers have requested a meeting with the interim President of the High Military Court, Captain Bernard HATEGEKIMANA with a view to ensuring that a hearing will be convened as soon as possible.

The meeting between the interim President of the High Military Court and Counsel representing Laurent NKUNDA MIHIGO should take place on Monday 5 October.

The Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda provides that liberty of the person is guaranteed by the State (article 18).

Any person deprived of liberty must be presented before a judge without delay for the purpose of being informed of the reasons justifying his arrest, which must be confirmed by a tribunal. These are fundamental rights guaranteed by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Requests for further information should be directed to Famille Laurent NKUNDA Mihigo at the following address: famillenkunda@gmail.com.