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714 churches closed down over poor sanitation and safety standards

The Head of Political Parties and Civil Society Department at the Rwanda Governance Board, Justus Kangwagye said there are some standards that all churches in Rwanda are expected to meet which the affected ones have fallen short of.

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The said churches are facing the distress action over issues ranging from lack of basic infrastructure, good hygiene, safety standards as well as legal status.

New Times reported the Head of Political Parties and Civil Society Department at the Rwanda Governance Board, Justus Kangwagye as saying there are some standards that all churches in Rwanda are expected to meet which the affected ones have fallen short of.

Justus Kangwagye said: “Worshiping should be done in an organised way and meet minimum standards. Exercising your freedom of worship should not encroach on other people’s rights.  They have been asked to halt operations until they meet the requirements.

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“For instance, if the infrastructure is deemed likely to cause danger to those worshiping, it is obvious that it fails to meet the requirements.”

It seems the East African country has been taking these measures to regulate the activities of churches and probably get rid of some of them because of the emergence of many worshipping centers in its jurisdiction, just as it is in other African countries.

Kangwagye explained that: “Churches that are hosted in tents were also asked to review their premises before they can continue their operations. As for hygiene and sanitation, you cannot have a gathering where there is no water for washing hands, no toilets among other issues.”

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