A/HRC/17/4 convicts are living side by side with their neighbours. The fact that the perpetrators of the genocide are now living side by side with the victims is testimony that unity and reconciliation are possible, and that the gacaca courts have played a major role in this context. 14. The delegation stated that recent presidential elections, coupled with steady economic growth and effective social policy interventions were testimony that Rwanda was coming to grips with its past, and that reconciliation and social cohesion are possible. 15. The delegation referred to the advance questions and stated with regard to the Genocide Ideology Law, that Rwandans knew genocide better than anyone else and had legitimate responsibility to prevent its reoccurrence by all means. The genocide took place on the basis of the ideology on which it was founded. It was a big issue for Rwanda and had to be addressed using all means possible, including the institution of an appropriate legal regime. It felt that the ideology of genocide was a real threat that could potentially undo the achievements that Rwanda has made in the last 16 years. The delegation stated that Rwanda had agreed to review the Genocide Ideology Law because of the issues it has raised. A national group was therefore commissioned, foreign experts were consulted, and comments and input were sought from human rights groups and other interested parties. 16. Regarding the issue of political space, the delegation stated that Rwandans needed to enjoy home-grown democracy, nurtured and developed in Rwanda by Rwandans, and not one that was made or imported from North America, Europe or Asia. It stated that there were 10 registered political parties and that in order to be registered, a party must meet the criteria defined by law. 17. The delegation stated that successful presidential, parliamentary and local elections have been held. National, regional and international observers were invited to observe the elections, and according to their reports, the elections generally reflected the will of the people of Rwanda. While the elections may not have been perfect, improvements could and would be made in the future. 18. The delegation stated, with regard to media freedom, that the media in Rwanda did not have a track record for good conduct. On the contrary it has been associated with inciting violence, hate campaigns and inciting the Rwandan people to committing genocide. The delegation stated that it needed to create a media that was responsible, and that Rwanda was committed to media freedom. In 1997, there was only one radio station; today there are 19. In 2003, Rwanda had 15 newspapers; today there are 57. The country also boasts the Great Lakes Media Center, and the School of Journalism and Communication aimed at improving the quality of the role of the media in the country’s governance. The delegation stated that the Media Law was under review to address some of the concerns that have been raised. 19. The delegation stated that some of the questions raised had been overridden by events, and that if no response had been provided it was because the questions were no longer issues. The States that posed the questions have been informally advised about the status of things on the ground. 20. The delegation stated that legislation was in place outlawing discrimination of any kind, and that it was a serious offence under national law. The question of the Batwa has been aggressively addressed, and it was expected that by 2020 they would be at parity with all other Rwandans. The question of solitary confinement, that was misunderstood, has been addressed by legislative reform and amendments. With regard to disappearances between 1990 and 2003, investigation will continue until all avenues have been exhausted. 5