We as Americans are blessed with many freedoms. Other countries such as Cuba,
Venezuela, and Rwanda are not as lucky as we are. Rwanda has long suffered grave human rights violations. They have suffered through genocide in
the 90’s. Human bodies covering
the streets, women raped, and children killed. Rwanda has come a long way since the genocide of 1994.
However, there are still cases of human rights violations in Rwanda. The Country Report on Human Rights
Practices of 2012 reported that the Rwandan police and military have been
accused of using electric shocks to torture civilians, starving and beating
crime suspects. Suspects are being
held in prisons, jails, and safe houses without ever being charged for
months. Rwanda has been accused of
backing M23 rebels from the east Congo.
In December of 2012, President Obama called Rwandan president, Paul
Kagame, and made sure he warned him against supporting the M23 rebels. Just last year there was a report from
Amnesty International. The report
highlighted 18 cases of abuse and degrading behavior against civilians. Freedom of speech is also extremely
restricted in Rwanda. Private
media outlets have been closed down since 2010 and independent journalists were
exiled.
Fortunately Rwanda has had many improvements
in the last 17 years. Human rights
are violations are still existent in Rwanda but genocide is just an awful
memory. Amnesty International has
helped Rwanda identify and resolve their human rights violations. For the sake of the people of Rwanda I hope
that improvements continue and they are finally able to enjoy the right to live
freely.
http://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/news/Rwanda-on-the-spot-once-again-human-rights/-/2558/1760048/-/uysq8sz/-/index.html
http://www.rwandahumanrights.org/docs/UNHR-US-STATE-DEPT-REPRISAL-KILLINGS-RWA.pdf
I'm incredibly thankful to be an American and live in the United States after reading this. It is very saddening how many others are still suffering all over our world today. Could you imagine walking down the street while the pavement is covered in dead bodies? Especially, seeing children as part of the deceased. Unfortunately, there is nothing we can do but wait. From the bottom of my heart, I hope there is a turn around soon and I wish President Obama had a say in how other countries are being ran. Even though improvements are being made it will probably never be enough. Civilians there have already seen and witnessed the horror and that is not just something we can take back! Good job on organizing your ideas! You got your point across and even included your own opinion. This was very interesting to read as well!
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