Blinken raises concern over human rights in Rwanda

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has expressed serious concerns about the human rights situation in Rwanda after talks with President Paul Kagame in the capital, Kigali.

Mr Blinken said he had raised US concerns about the detention of Paul Rusesabagina - a permanent resident of the United States - who is credited with saving hundreds of lives during the Rwandan genocide of 1994.

Rusesabagina was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted of terrorism.

Mr Blinken said he had urged President Kagame to address concerns about legal protections afforded to Rusesabagina - particularly, the lack of a fair trial.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: @SecBlinken/Twitter