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Rwanda suspends BBC service over genocide documentary

The Rwandan government has ordered an indefinite suspension of all BBC broadcasts in the country after the airing of a controversial documentary on the 1994 genocide, which has led to accusations of genocide denial.

The Rwandan public regulatory body, which had recently launched an investigation into the documentary, said the decision was made based "on the resolutions made by the commission of inquiry that was set up by the Rwandan government to investigate allegations of genocide denial and revisionism against the BBC in the new documentary produced by BBC journalist, Jane Corbin".

The documentary, “Rwanda's Untold Story”, contained allegations that current President Paul Kagame and his then Rwandan Patriotic Front armed organisation shot down and killed then Hutu president Juvenal Habyarimana, sparking the genocide which killed some 800,000 people.

"An investigation has been closed into those allegations, and the outcome has recommended that BBC should be suspended," added the communiqué.

Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority director Patrick Nyirishema said the "airing of the documentary by the BBC constituted abuse of press freedom and free speech the BBC had"violated its own editorial guidelines, transgressed journalistic standards and violated Rwandan laws."

"The identified offences are to be transmitted to the prosecutor-general for consideration and appropriate action," he added.

Also see our earlier posts:

Rwanda begins public inquiry into BBC 'genocide denial' documentary (20 Nov 2014)

Rwanda bans BBC broadcasts in protest of genocide documentary (25 October 2014)

Rwandan parliament calls for genocide denial charges against BBC documentary producers(24 October 2014)

Rwandan president accuses BBC of 'genocide denial' (15 October 2014)

BBC accused of giving voice to genocide deniers by Rwandan survivors groups   (11 October 2014)

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