The Dutch ambassador to Rwanda Frans Makken visited opposition leader Victoire Ingabire (United Democratic Forces) in jail on Friday.

Ambassador Makken was accompanying a Dutch delegation of ten officials from the Dutch NGO, Unity is Strength (Eenheid is Kracht). During the visit, which lasted 30 minutes, the delegation talked about the conditions of Ms Ingabire’s imprisonment, about the legal proceedings brought against her and Dutch aid to Rwanda.

Ms Ingabire complained about the lack of objectivity of the judicial authorities, the constant interference of the Rwandan government and the impossibility of an impartial trial.

After the visit, the Dutch embassy called Rwandan Justice Minister Tharcisse Karugarama to discuss technical aspects of the case. The embassy said that Ms Ingabire, who lived in the Netherlands for 16 years, was in good health.

The 43-year-old opposition leader was arrested last year after she returned to Rwanda. She is being held in a Kigali prison and is accused of conspiring with a terrorist group and denying the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

The Netherlands is giving Rwanda 4.8 million euros to support the administration of justice in 2011.

(gsh/mw)

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