Death penalty proposed for Rwandan journalists

Rwanda is considering introducing the death penalty for local journalists who incite racial hatred.

Journalists who stir up ethnic trouble leading to genocide will face either 20 years in jail or death.

The new law is being proposed because some Rwandan media incited the genocide between Hutus and Tutsis that left one million dead in 1994.

Several journalists are now standing trial at the International Criminal Tribunal For Rwanda in Arusha, Tanzania, on charges of inciting the population to commit genocide.

Rwanda's 70-member parliament is currently discussing a new Media Bill. Article 88 proposes the death penalty for inciting genocide. The Bill also proposes that journalists be compelled to reveal their sources.

Dr Vuningoma James, The Rwandan Press House chief, said he is shocked at the proposals.

A Legal Reform Commission in Rwanda is to examine all existing laws in the country as part of an ongoing preparation for a change of government through elections in 2003.

The country's constitution is also under review, reports said.