A refugee who escaped torture in Rwanda and was granted asylum in the United Kingdom has criticized the government’s plans to fly unauthorized migrants to his home country.
The 42-year-old journalist told the Guardian that although he has been granted refugee status here, he continues to fear being targeted by Rwandan government agents in the UK.
The man, who lost many family members in the country’s genocide in 1994, decided to become a journalist after leaving school in the country’s capital, Kigali, because of fears of government corruption. He worked for a newspaper that criticized President Kagame and his government and was later shut down.
He was accused of being an “enemy of the state” and was caught trying to escape across the border, blindfolded and tortured for four months.
His torturers – who used electric shocks against him – tried to get him to reveal the names of his journalistic sources working for the government, but he refused.
He eventually escaped to the United Kingdom, where he suffered a mental breakdown. He sought asylum and, after a long court battle, was granted refugee status, with the Interior Ministry accepting his account of what had happened to him.
The government’s plans to send unauthorized asylum seekers on a one-way ticket to Rwanda have been condemned as inhumane and unfeasible. The prime minister on Thursday outlined proposals to hand over an initial contribution of £ 120 million to the Kagame administration in the hope that it would accept “tens of thousands” of people.
“I know of so many Rwandans who have fled the country,” he said. “Anyone who criticizes Kagame is not good for him. Not many Rwandans come to the United Kingdom, but some flee to Germany, Belgium or the Netherlands, or to other African countries such as Zambia and Mozambique.
“Rwanda is a good country for image, but not for freedom of speech. I’m really shocked that offshoring to Rwanda is happening. It’s like selling people. It is a shame for a country like the United Kingdom to do that. It’s like a business, “he said.
“People will suffer there, but that will not stop the smuggling gangs. I believe that asylum seekers will be treated badly in Rwanda. I live outside of London because the Rwandan embassy is in London and I don’t want to be near them. So many Rwandans who have left the country live in fear wherever they are. “
He said he feared what would happen to him if he ever returned to Rwanda. “Those who oppose Kagame end up in prison. The Rwandan government is using torture and violence against its opponents. “
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