According to a report by Rwanda’s pro-government KT Press, more than 8,000 churches have been closed by the Government [1] for failing to meet strict new requirements laid down at the beginning of the year. Many see the closures as part of an effort by the government to assert an aggressive secular stance.
Rwandans’ right to religious freedom is granted under article 37 of the 2003 constitution, which was amended in 2015. However, there has been a marked increase in secularism in the government: They no longer allow prayer meetings in government institutions, which used to be very common. Words referring to the Christian faith have been removed from the preamble of the Constitution. During the commemoration of the genocide, neither pastors nor priests (who used to play a prominent role in past commemoration events), can speak or preach any more, unless the event is organised by a church.
There is a high level of fear among church leaders. Shortly after the new requirements began to be implemented, officials arrested six pastors accused of plotting to defy the government orders. Although the pastors have since been released, a senior church leader explained that the arrest served as a stern warning to others to not resist the move.