Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urgently called on Rwandan authorities to initiate an effective, independent, and transparent investigation into the death in custody of Aimable Karasira. Karasira, a prominent Rwandan academic and outspoken government critic, died on May 6, 2026, the very day he was scheduled for release from prison. His death, officially attributed by the Rwandan Correctional Services to a medical overdose from prescribed medication for a pre-existing condition, adds to a concerning pattern of disappearances and suspicious deaths among perceived government critics and opponents in Rwanda.

Karasira's case is seen as a stark illustration of Rwanda's intensifying crackdown on dissent and freedom of expression. Clémentine de Montjoye, senior Great Lakes researcher at Human Rights Watch, highlighted the extensive history of harassment and persecution Karasira endured from the authorities, stating there are many reasons to question the circumstances of his death. She emphasized that the Rwandan government bears the responsibility of proving Karasira was not unlawfully killed, urging Rwanda's international partners to closely monitor the situation.

The pressure on Karasira began in 2020 after he published a video on his YouTube channel discussing the loss of relatives during the 1994 genocide and its aftermath under the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). He reported receiving threats and phone calls, and even claimed intelligence officials ordered him to disseminate false information about government opponents. In May 2021, Karasira was arrested and charged with genocide denial, justification, and divisionism—crimes under Rwandan law.

During his detention, Karasira faced severe mistreatment, including torture and denial of essential medical care. At a court hearing on May 30, 2022, he testified that Nyarugenge prison authorities tortured him through sleep deprivation, constant light, loud music, and beatings to compel his court attendance. Both Karasira and his lawyer informed the court that he was being denied treatment for diabetes and mental health issues and was forced to attend proceedings despite being unwell. He also accused prison staff of providing inadequate food and blocking his access to funds sent by friends or relatives for prison purchases.

Despite his acquittal on several charges, including genocide denial and justification, the prosecution appealed, seeking a 30-year sentence. This appeal was pending at the time of his death. However, having already served four years of his five-year term while awaiting trial, Karasira's release was imminent on May 6.

Human Rights Watch pointed to the Rwandan government's consistent failure to conduct transparent and independent investigations into deaths of high-profile political critics and detainees in state custody. Karasira's death draws parallels to the 2020 death of singer and government critic Kizito Mihigo, who died in a police cell four days after his re-arrest. Mihigo, like Karasira, had previously expressed fears for his life due to questioning aspects of the government’s official narrative surrounding the genocide. In both cases, authorities quickly offered official explanations: suicide for Mihigo and a suspected medication overdose for Karasira.

According to the Revised United Nations Manual on the Effective Prevention and Investigation of Extra-legal, Arbitrary and Summary Executions (the Minnesota Protocol), a state is responsible for a death in custody unless proven otherwise, particularly when the deceased was a political opponent, a human rights defender, suffered from mental health issues, or died by suicide under unexplained circumstances. HRW recommends that Rwandan authorities invite an independent body of experts, including the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions and members of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights Working Group, to conduct an impartial, thorough, and transparent investigation. This investigation must include an autopsy, and its findings should be made public. Furthermore, Rwanda's regional and international partners, who have often remained silent on growing repression, are urged to publicly demand an independent investigation and condemn the deteriorating pattern of repression against dissenting voices.