Pressure is growing in Rwanda for an independent investigation into the death of the Catholic church singer Kizito Mihigo.
Mihigo, 38, who died in prison last Monday, was buried at Rusororo cemetery after a service at Ndera Catholic church. Bishops of the Rwandan Catholic church have so far declined to comment, in spite of Mihigo's many years of loyal service to the church.
His body was found hanging from a window of the prison where he been confined three days earlier. He been arrested on allegations of trying to flee the country to join a rebel group. Rwanda Investigations Bureau claims that Mihigo had committed suicide.
But the death has since sparked-off a controversy with the groups calling for investigations to determine the possible involvement of others.
“They must launch an independent, impartial and thorough investigation to determine the cause of the death, including whether it was natural or accidental, or a case of suicide,” said Deprose Muchena, Amnesty International director for East and Southern Africa.
Lewis Mudge, Human Rights Watch’s central director said the police were responsible for his life and safety.
“Rwanda’s partners and donors should not be silent. They should call for a credible investigation and an unequivocal commitment to deliver justice for this critical case,” said Mudge.
Mihigo worked closely with Rwanda’s ruling party, the Rwanda Patriotic Front, until 2014, when he was arrested for releasing a gospel song praying for victims of the 1994 and victims of other forms of violence. In 2015, he was found guilty of plotting to assassinate President Paul Kagame, among other charges.
In 2018, he was released from prison on a presidential pardon on conditions that he would report to a prosecutor once a month and seek permission before traveling.
Loading ...
