Human rights

Re “Reinventing Rwanda,” Opinion, June 22

Stephen Kinzer asks whether the “West’s obsession” with human rights can undermine development, and curiously asserts that development specialists and human rights advocates must be “on opposite sides” in Rwanda.

Respect for human rights promotes development. It is difficult to elect leaders with sound development policies when elections are flawed and the opposition cannot operate freely.

Although Kinzer is correct that Rwanda remains an explosive place, the more we turn a blind eye to Rwandan repression -- either out of genocide guilt or for the supposed sake of development -- the more domestic resentment will push the country toward another catastrophic event.

Violeta Roman

Washington