The Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union,

Referring to the case of Mr. Léonard Hitimana, who disappeared in April 2003 while he was a member of the Transitional National Assembly of Rwanda, which was subsequently dissolved on 22 August 2003, as outlined in the report of the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians (CL/189/11(b)-R.1), and to the resolution adopted at its 188th session (April 2011),

Having before it the Committee’s report on the on-site mission which took place from 12 to 15 June 2011, including the letter from the Speakers of both Houses of 14 October 2011 reporting that they were unaware of any new evidence having emerged since the mission,

1. Thanks the authorities for hosting and cooperating with the mission, enabling the mission fully to discharge its mandate;

2. Also thanks the mission for its work and endorses its conclusions;

3. Is particularly pleased to note that all authorities with whom the mission met were in agreement that Mr. Hitimana’s disappearance had to be fully elucidated;

4. Is therefore gratified by the pledge of the Minister of Justice to ensure that a thoroughgoing investigation is conducted covering also the possibility that Mr. Hitimana was assassinated in Rwanda;

5. Emphasizes that the information gathered by the mission clearly shows that the assumption that Mr. Hitimana fled abroad cannot stand and that, consequently, any investigation based on that assumption is bound to fail, as is borne out by the investigation carried out so far; stresses also that, as the mission report shows, Mr. Hitimana was not a junior politician but played an important role in his party, particularly at the time of his disappearance;

6. Is concerned at the mission’s observation regarding the near impossibility of meeting witnesses, as this shows that potential witnesses are in fear and will not come forward unless their protection is guaranteed; is confident that the authorities will give this serious consideration and take measures to address this important issue; would appreciate being informed of any such initiatives;

7. Regrets that, contrary to what the mission was told, Mr. Hitimana’s father has not as yet been released;

8. Sincerely hopes, that with new lines of inquiry being followed, new evidence will soon emerge, and looks forward to receiving information to this effect;

9. Requests the Secretary General to convey this resolution to the parliamentary authorities and to the sources;

10. Requests the Committeeto continue examining this case and report to it at its next session, to be held during the 126th IPU Assembly (March/April 2012).

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