RWANDA: KAGAME ENCOURAGES OTHER COUNTRIES TO ABOLISH THE DEATH PENALTY

the Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, encouraged other countries to follow the example of his country, as he received an award for Rwanda's abolition of the death penalty in Rome, Italy. "We encourage more countries in Africa and in the world to be put an end to this practice", declared the Rwandan Head of State, in receiving this award handed out by the Italian organization, Hands off Cain. Kagame received the "award of abolitionist of the year 2007" from Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi. Rwanda abolished last month the death penalty for all crimes including the 1994 genocide which resulted, according to Kigali, in nearly a million killed, primarily Tutsis. "The death penalty is contrary to our vision of stability, peace, prosperity and democratic governance", the Rwandan president said. Rwanda is the first country of the African Great Lakes Region to have abolished the death penalty.