HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING FOR ACSS WORKSHOP

UNCLAS KIGALI 000460 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/C, DRL/PHD, PM/RSAT AND L/PM E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MARR MASS PREL RW SUBJECT: HUMAN RIGHTS VETTING FOR ACSS WORKSHOP ¶1. (U) This is an action request, see paragraph 2. ¶2. (SBU) Per Leahy Amendment human rights vetting requirements, please screen the following individuals scheduled to attend ACSS Workshop in Kampala, Uganda Last Name First Name Rank DOB -------------- -------------- -------------- --- Kayiranga Eric Supt 1969 Gatare Damas Supt 1962 Rutaremara Jill MAJ 1960 Nkerabigwi Etienne 1970 Dates of Training: August 17-22, 2008 ¶3. (SBU) Post has discovered no derogatory information on the nominees from its own files or reputable sources. ¶4. (SBU) NOTE: Post found Major Jill Rutaremara's name on a list of RPF members who are accused of perpetrating human rights abuses following the 1994 genocide. The list appears in a report from SOS Rwanda-Burundi - a Belgian-based group linked with extremist Hutu-power movements. The single sentence referring to Rutaremara states, "Un de Champions de la politique d'ethnilandisation (sic) du Mutara." That is, he supposedly supported Tutsi repopulation strategies in Mutara Prefecture. Thus, no specific accusation is made in this report of any human rights offense. Further, the report contains many factual errors, and we do not consider it a credible source. The report was published on the website for Inshuti - another Hutu-power group based in Barcelona, with links to genocide denial campaigns. This is the only reference we found linking Major Jill Rutaremara to any supposed involvement in human rights abuses or activities inconsistent with the U.S. foreign policy goals. ¶5. (U) Post point of contact is pol/econ intern Emily Narkis. ARIETTI