Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 601: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to reports of intimidation in Rwanda in the run-up to the presidential elections in August 2010; if he will be sending election observers; the other actions he has taken or will take to address this issue at diplomatic and European levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14504/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The immediate context for reported incidents of intimidation is the run-up to Presidential elections which will be held in Rwanda on 9th August this year. The main political party in Rwanda is the RPF, the Rwandan Patriotic Front, chaired by President Kagame, which has a large majority in government. There are many smaller parties which work in coalition with the RPF and do not have strong identities of their own. Two parties which were formed as opposition parties in the early 1990s, the Social Democratic Party and the Liberal Party, are now associated at parliamentary, ministerial and institutional level with the RPF.

The Social Party-Imberakuri (PS) is so far the only registered opposition party. Two other parties are trying to register, the United Democratic Forces (UDF)–Inkingi, led by Ms Victoire Ingabire who returned from exile in the Netherlands earlier this year; and the Democratic Green party of Rwanda (DGPR) led by Frank Habineza. Both these leaders have experienced problems registering their parties. The leaders also claim that they have been subjected to threats, harassment and various forms of intimidation. The government has robustly denied all allegations, and suggested there are technical reasons for the problems faced by parties in securing registration.

Rwanda has made substantial progress in establishing peace, security and institutions of governance since the genocide of 1994. Although facing serious threat from FDLR Hutu rebels (many of them linked to the 1994 genocide) operating in east of neighbouring Congo, Rwanda has substantially restored security and stability within its borders. It has worked to improve relations with the authorities in Kinshasa as evidenced by the restoration of diplomatic relations and the recent regional cooperation in the military operation against the FDLR. Rwanda has also won praise from international donors over the past several years for its progressive approach to development and for having created strong levels of economic growth.

Whilst the progress made by Rwanda is to be welcomed, there are concerns about political freedom, particularly in advance of the elections. As a result of the 1994 genocide, a law was passed in 2008 which criminalises "genocidal ideology". Whilst a law of this kind is understandable in such circumstances, the terms of the law are vague and ambiguous, and as a result are capable of stifling freedom of expression and narrowing political space. Some of the regulations in force could be interpreted as aimed at controlling political competition and are not in line with international standards.

With regard to election monitoring, Ireland always seeks to respond in a positive manner to calls from the EU for election observers. However on this occasion it is envisaged that the EU will field an Election Expert Team rather than a full Election Observation Mission. However, if a request for observers should issue we would examine the request positively.

Together with our EU partners, Ireland will continue to monitor developments in Rwanda in advance of, during, and after the elections. We shall continue to make our voice heard, through our Embassy in Kampala which is accredited to Rwanda, and through those EU partners who have missions in Kigali and have regular dialogue with the Government. Ireland will continue to support Rwanda's development through the provision of overseas development aid and bilateral cooperation. Irish Aid has provided more than €8 million in funding to Rwanda since 2007.