Belgian Journalist Barred From Rwanda Ahead of World Cycling Championships
Kigali, Rwanda – A journalist with Belgian public broadcaster VRT NWS has been denied entry to Rwanda ahead of the UCI road World Championships, sparking concern over press freedom in the host country.VRT NWS reporter Thomas Vercruysse was refused access upon arrival, following what the broadcaster describes as a “critical” report on Rwanda earlier this week.
The incident has prompted a response from the Belgian foreign affairs ministry, which is seeking clarification from Rwandan authorities. Despite the setback, VRT NWS confirmed it will continue its critical reporting on Rwanda during the championships, alongside its coverage of the cycling event. This is not an isolated incident; former VRT NWS colleague Peter Verlinden has been barred from entering Rwanda for years.
“We are shocked by the decision of the Rwandan authorities, especially given that our colleague was traveling to cover a major international sporting event,” declared Stijn verhaaren, editor-in-chief of VRT NWS foreign affairs. “Despite this incident,VRT NWS will continue to report critically on the host country in the coming weeks,in addition to our coverage of the World Cycling Championships.”
Foreign minister Maxime Prévot has contacted Rwandan authorities, but the foreign affairs ministry currently has no further explanation. “As Rwanda is the host country for this international sporting event and is also hosting the belgian cycling team, this entails special responsibilities. However, we are waiting for further clarification before commenting on the substance of the matter,” the ministry stated.
Vercruysse himself expressed concern about being added to a blacklist, stating, “I suspect I am now also on the blacklist.”
Rwanda currently ranks 146th out of 180 countries on the World Press freedom Index, a measure of press freedom globally – a decline of two places from the previous year.The championships are scheduled to run from September 21-28.
The Tour du Rwanda of 2024 © PHOTO Guillem Sartorio / AFP
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