.

Rwanda stands with SyriansRwanda has added its voice to the growing international condemnation of the Syrian government’s violent crackdown of its own citizens; calling for respect of the “legitimate and rightful aspirations” of the Syrian people. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Louise Mushikiwabo, was among 40 foreign dignitaries who attended the Second Conference of the Group of Friends of the Syrian People in Istanbul, Turkey on Sunday, as the international community stepped up pressure on Damascus to end the violence. “While it is true that the independence and sovereignty of States are fundamental to international relations; the fight and the right to live – the responsibility to protect – are even more critical for the survival of the community of nations,” a communiqué from the ministry of Foreign affairs quoted the minister telling the conference. Media Bills finally approvedRwandan media moved closer to self-regulation, early this week, when the Chamber of Deputies finally approved the draft laws which govern the media fraternity. The approval follows clause-by-clause review of the drafts that had first been discussed by the plenary session, last year, but were sent back to the Political Affairs and Gender Committee for further analysis. The bills that were assessed included the draft on access to information, and one regarding the functioning and organisation of the Media High Council (MHC). The law makers unanimously voted in favour after a heated debate. On Monday, MPs and the minister for cabinet affairs, also currently overseeing the information docket, Protais Musoni, urged the media not to endanger national security under the guise of freedom of expression. ICTR concludes Ngirabatware caseThe International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), on Monday, closed the hearing of prosecution witnesses in the trial case of former Minister of Planning, Augustin Ngirabatware.Ngirabatware, 52, is charged with nine counts which include; Genocide, Conspiracy to Commit Genocide; Complicity in Genocide and Direct and Public Incitement to Commit Genocide. Others are; Crimes against Humanity for Murder, Extermination, Rape, Inhumane Acts and Serious Violations of the Geneva Conventions and of Additional Protocol II. Prosecution Attorney Wallace Kapaya told the Tanzania-based court that a witness codenamed PRW3, due to personal security, is still waiting for authorisation from the Nigerian government to travel to ICTR’s headquarters, yet the country had promised to allow him come to ICTR to witness. Like other five prosecution witnesses, prosecution witness PRW4, on Monday, refuted Ngirabatware’s alibi that he was in Dakar between April and May 1994.MPs agree on abortion Members of the Chamber of Deputies, early this week, passed the draft Penal Code, with the majority voting in favour of an article that permits abortion under special circumstances. The critical vote came after the House received and approved a report of an earlier established joint Chamber of deputies-Senate committee to review the bill. Seven women MPs abstained from voting for or against Article 165, which absolves criminal liability for exceptional abortion cases, arguing it was hazardous to the Rwandan society. The article outlines four circumstances under which a woman can carry out an abortion. It also allows a medical doctor to facilitate an abortion under the same conditions. The four conditions are: when a woman has become pregnant as a result of rape; when a woman has been subjected to forced marriage; when a woman becomes pregnant due to incest and/or when the continuation of pregnancy seriously jeopardises the health of the unborn baby or that of the mother. The article stipulates that exemption from criminal liability shall be permitted if a woman who seeks abortion submits to the doctor an order issued by a competent court. Excitement as Rusumo gets power Cross-border traders between Tanzania and Rwanda, through Rusumo were pleased by the electrification of the border point.Traders who were at the border could not hide their excitement on Thursday. The border has been relying on a generator, which could only emit power to a few offices and at regulated hours to minimise fuel consumption. But after the installation of electricity from the national grid, the whole area, including the parking yard and the main highway, are now lit. Rusumo links the country to the port of Dar es Salaam.The mayor of Kirehe District, Protais Murayire, while presiding over the official launch of the electrification, said the development was long overdue. He said the whole of Kirehe would be connected to electricity in the near future.. Scribes’ sentences slashed The Supreme Court, on Thursday, significantly reduced the sentences for two female journalists who were facing lengthy jail terms. Agnes Nkusi Uwimana and Saidath Mukakibibi, of a local tabloid Umurabyo, had their sentences reduced to four and three years in jail, down from 17 and seven years, respectively. They were arrested in June 2010. The initial rulings had been handed down by the High Court, in February last year. The sentences cover the duration they have spent in jail, which is nearly two years – meaning Uwimana has to serve about two more years, while Mukakibibi remains with roughly one. Uwimana was also relieved of the Rwf 250,000 fine she had been ordered to pay, but Mukakibibi was fined Rwf77, 000. After the ruling, Uwimana’s lawyer Evariste Nsabayezu said they were pleased with the verdict. Uwimana, editor of the controversial tabloid, had been found guilty of four charges; threatening state security, instilling divisionism among Rwandans, inciting genocide ideology, and defamation. Mukakibibi had initially been found guilty of threatening state security