AMANI Forum Rwanda Chapter has organized a regional Conference on Ethnocentrism in the Great Lakes Region. The Conference will take place on 5th and 6th December 2008 at the National Assembly of Rwanda, Kigali.

Year Launched : October 2000
Membership as of March 2007 : 49 Parliamentarians
Chairperson : Hon. Amb. Denis Polisi
National Executive Committee : 12 Members
Coordinator : Mr. Eustach Niyongila

Chapter Office : Parliament of Rwanda, Kigali

AMANI Rwanda conducted a two-day fact-finding mission to a refugee’s camp in Burundi from 14 to 16 December 2006. The purpose of the mission was to persuade Rwandan refugees based in Burundi to voluntarily return to their country.
From 23 to 24 September 2006, AMANI Rwanda held a two-day workshop for parliamentarians on the ongoing process of reconciliation and national healing in Rwanda.  It was funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP-Rwanda).  The meeting aimed at strengthening the capacity of MPs in dealing with the subject of reconciliation and national healing as a crucial element in fostering peace and suggests measures to strengthen the process.   The meeting took place at Hotel Kivu Sun located in the district of Rubavu.

Achievements:

•  Solidarity built between the Rwanda and Uganda MPs on advocating for peace and security.

•  Joint resolution to pressurise both governments to withdraw their forces from the DRC.

•  Agreement reached on further cooperation to ensure peace in the region.

2 . Fact finding mission to the refugee camps in camps in Southern Rwanda to sensitise refugees on voluntary repatriation particularly when stability is returning in their country.

3. Fact-finding mission. In response to forceful eviction of Rwandan refugees from Tanzania and subsequent confiscation of their property, AMANI Rwanda conducted a fact-finding mission in Eastern Province of Rwanda on 19-22 June 2006 in order to collect first-hand information on the prevailing situation and proposed measures for ending hostilities between the communities living along the borders and also restore diplomatic ties between Rwanda and Tanzania around the issue of refugees.  The outcome of the mission will also inform the members on policy recommendations they can make to the government on addressing the issue of returnees.

Rwandans deported from Tanzania at MATIMBA (Rwanda)

4. Participated in a conference and the launch of the Great Lakes Ecumenical Forum where the Chapter was interacted with faith-based organisations in the Great Lakes Region through FECCLAHA.   The conference provided an opportunity for the Chapter to participate in strategies aimed at building relationship of solidarity between Parliamentarians and faith organisations in promoting peace and democracy in the GLR.

Key achievements

• i. MPs aware of the plight of the refugees and the need to sensitise their governments for a refugee policy.

• ii. Greater commitment to promotion of peace in the region to reduce high rate of displacement.

• iii. Greater collaboration between UNHCR, the government of host country and that of the refugee origin and also parliamentarians in implementing tripartite agreement on voluntary repatriation.

3.Regional Conference on the role of MPs in preventing genocide

The regional conference on the role of MPs in preventing Genocide took in June 2005 in Kigali. The conference was aimed at sensitising regional parliamentarians on their legislative, representative and oversight roles in preventing acts of genocide and other Humanitarian and Social Issues violation that are politically motivated.

Keys achievements

    * MPs united on the need for legislators to lead in the prevention of Humanitarian and Social Issues and other atrocities that are ethnically motivated.
    * Great Lakes MPs sensitised on the effects of hate speech.

Contact:

AMANI Forum Rwanda Chapter
Parliament of Rwanda
P.O.Box 352 , Kigali , Rwanda
Tel: +250 520367
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