Although many people use social media, there are those who are against the Rwandan culture and upload videos and other scandalous content, but they do not know that they are punishable by law.
A lawyer who spoke to the Media but did not want his name to be published, said that scandalous activities are not related to the culture of the country because many countries have different cultures, He said, “When they say scandalous activities, they are all things that are against the culture of the country, and these activities would affect all members of society,
Especially the youth who do not have the wisdom to distinguish between good and bad, and fall into these scandalous activities.
The lawyer cites some of the scandalous practices on social media, such as nude videos, YouTube channels that teach about sex and give examples of how they do it, and show underwear in a way that Followers can engage in the activity after watching it, especially the youth. There are people who go to Facebook and post phone numbers and add that they are ‘Suger Daddy’, or ‘Suger mummy’, and ask that anyone who needs him can find him.
He said, “Anything that is against culture and could affect some of the Rwandan community is a crime, that’s why social media users should be careful and avoid spreading scandalous activities and images”. Law No. 60/2018 of 22/8/2018 regarding the prevention and punishment of crimes using technology.
Article 34 states that the publication of images related to the use of sex, through a computer or computer network, becomes a crime. Anyone who publishes or causes to be published images or sounds related to the use of sex, through a computer network or other means of technology and communication; solicits, trains or solicits a child, through a computer or computer network or any network, for the purpose of sexually exploiting him, commits an offence.
If convicted by the Court, he shall be sentenced to imprisonment of not less than three years but not more than five years, and a fine of not less than 1,000,000 but not more than 3,000,000 Frw.
Article 38 states that any person who publishes, sends or causes to be published any obscene message using a computer, or a computer network, is guilty of a crime. If he is convicted by the court, he is punished with imprisonment of not less than six months but not more than two years, and a fine of Rwandan currency not less than 2,000,0000Frw.
If the scandalous message referred to in the first paragraph of this article is untrue or refers to a child, the person convicted of the crime shall be punished with imprisonment of not less than three years but not more than five years, and a fine of Rwandan currency not less than 1,000,000Frw, but not more than 3,000,0000Frw.
What the Council of the Culture in Rwanda say about Violent Contents on social media.
The Chairman of the Cultural Assembly, Ambassador Robert Masozera, said that the strategy of the Cultural Assembly is to increase the campaign to reach everyone, so that Rwandans know what to publish and what not to publish. Masozera says that fighting it requires cooperation with other agencies responsible for the legalization of those who do it.
He said, “Inteko Umumu is campaigning to not lose culture and its values among young people and adults. Among the youth, there are various artistic activities aimed at analyzing and understanding the cultural values of Rwanda, competitions in schools on culture, heritage and values, etc. “Adults are also assigned various study materials, all of which teach culture and values.”
Ambassador Masozera says that there are books that help people continue to leave culture, such as the Book on Fashion that talks about and explains Rwandan Fashion, in the mirror of culture and development 2023, a book that explains Rwandan cultural values and taboos in folk tales, was published in 2023 and the Handbook on Rwandan Cultural Values called ‘Guidebook 2018’.
He said, “Those who commit these acts are deceiving the values and morals that characterize the people living in our country. Moral values teach us good behavior such as honesty, loyalty, self-respect and respect for others, humility, honesty and truthfulness.
Politeness is the clothing of the heart, which is reflected in a person’s speech and actions, making those who see him believe him, and take him as an example.
