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Rwandan Government to release child prisoners

Thursday, 20 June 1996: The Rwandan Government will release about 400 children from prisons soon into a juvenile re-education centre at Gitagata, 40 kilometres south of the capital Kigali, according to Dan Toole, UNICEF Representative in Rwanda.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs will supervise the transfer. Children at Gitagata follow a regular school curriculum, including civic education, and take part in sport and agricultural activities.

"UNICEF strongly supports this move," said Mr. Toole, speaking on the Day of the African Child on June 16. "The transfer of these children is an important step towards building a credible and fair justice system and a demonstration of Rwanda's commitment to basic human rights."

At Gitagata, tents will house the new arrivals as the centre is not large enough for the influx. Later this year, the facility will be expanded to accommodate at least 400 children. Funds for this will come from the Netherlands Government and the Spanish Committee for UNICEF.

The child prisoners, all under 15 years at the time of the 1994 genocide and therefore not considered criminally responsible under Rwandan law, will leave their prisons and communal jails over the next several weeks, completely a programme that transferred nearly 200 child prisoners to Gitagata a year ago.

For 1,191 child detainees deemed criminally responsible, UNICEF provides legal assistance for their defence through the Ministry of Justice. It is also advocating special provisions for the trial of these adolescents.

Photo: Young prisoners like these spent time in crowded adult jails before more suitable places were found for them away from the capital Kigali.

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