Kigali, 22 July-(ANA)-Rwanda’s application to join the 53-member English-speakingCommonwealth bloc has been questioned over its alleged bad human rights record and media repression.
A report by the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), said Rwanda’s recent military intervention in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, its strict laws baring genocide ideology and harassment of independent journalists were some of the issues in question before its accession.
Rwanda's application to join the bloc will be considered at the Commonwealth summit in Trinidad and Tobago in November, with its bid being strongly supported by the UK and its African neighbours.
President Paul Kagame believes Commonwealth membership will offer economic, cultural and political benefits to his country.(ANA)
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