Electoral/Political Party Reform – 1994

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After the genocidal violence of 1994, Article 80 was interpreted as banning political parties based on ethnic identity. By banning parties formed based on ethnic identity, Rwanda enacted political reforms aimed at institutionalizing cross-cutting, multi-ethnic or secular political parties. This ban included the former President Habyarimana’s party, the National Revolutionary Movement for Development, and the extremist Hutu Coalition for the Defense of the Republic1 These changes would become part of the 1995 constitution.

Electoral/Political Party Reform – 1993

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Provisions related to electoral or political party reform were designed to ensure inclusive politics with a Political Code of Ethics binding on all parties. No developments occured this year.

Inter-ethnic/State Relations – 2002

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No further developments observed.

Postscript: Other reforms related to promoting inter-ethnic relations also took place. In these instances, radical ethnic parties were not invited to join the National Unity Government. The new constitution, which came into force in June 2003, did not only eradicate the ethnic divisions but also rendered propaganda based on ethnic origin punishable by law. The constitution eliminates discrimination based on ethnic identity as well as formation of political organization or party based on ethnic orientation.2

At the same time, some government policies continued to promote ethnic identification. Both the special genocide courts and gacaca courts tried only genocide crimes, and the determination of which crimes were considered genocide was based almost exclusively on ethnic identity. Furthermore, many regime critics have charged that the regime actively discriminates in favor of Tutsi, particularly returned former Tutsi refugees who constitute the core of RPF support. Laws banning ethnic identification make it impossible for people to complain publicly about ethnic discrimination lest they be accused of “divisionism” or supporting “ethnic ideology.”