At least 20 prisoners, including many awaiting trial for crimes relating to the Rwandan genocide, have been killed by Rwandan police in the last eight months, according to a report.
Human Rights Watch called for investigations into the extrajudicial executions.
The group's report found that many of the 20 detainees were awaiting trial for crimes relating to the 1994 genocide in traditional courts known as gacaca or grass courts. The others had been accused of murder, rape or theft.
'Rwanda says it is striving to establish a state of law. Killing detainees is not the way to do it. The Rwandan National Police must ensure that the killings end,' Alison Des Forges, a senior HRW official, said in a statement.
The rights group said the police force's Commissioner General, Andrew Rwigamba, had acknowledged the deaths, saying most detainees were shot while attempting to escape and were, 'of extreme criminal character ready to die for their genocide ideology'.
The report is based on dozens of interviews with families of victims and eyewitnesses and said that many of the killings happened between November and May.
Donor governments, including the US and the UK, have asked police officials for explanations for the killings. The RNP has promised an investigation.
