agnes uwimana nkusi saidati mukakibibi v rwanda communication 42612 2021 achpr 526 16 april 2021
The Commission found that Rwanda's criminal defamation law and the imposition of custodial sentences for defamation violated Article 9(2) of the African Charter, as such restrictions were not necessary or proportionate to the legitimate aim of protecting reputation, particularly regarding criticism of public officials. The Commission found no violation of the right to presumption of innocence or legal certainty under Article 7, as the courts did not reverse the burden of proof and the laws were sufficiently clear. However, the application of criminal sanctions for defamation, especially impri…
Source excerpt
- Freedom of expression
- Defamation
- National security
- Fair trial
- Presumption of innocence
- Legal certainty