A leading human rights organization has called on Rwanda to release three peace activists recently detained on unknown charges.

Amnesty International says the detainees - Laurien Ntezimana, Didace Muremangingo and Ignace Ndayahundwa -- are likely being held for printing a word associated with a banned opposition political party.

The London-based human rights group says the men, who are members of the Association Modeste et Innocent, used the word, "ubuyanja," in a newsletter.

The word, which means rebirth or renewal of energy, is also associated with the outlawed Democratic Party for Renewal-Ubuyanja.

Amnesty International says the detentions are part of, what it calls, a growing pattern of harassment against suspected opposition supporters and journalists.

Another rights group - Human Rights Watch - had called on Rwandan authorities to either publicize the charges against the men or release them.

Rwandan officials have not commented on the detentions.

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