The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda has today, the 8th of December 2014, filed a lawsuit to the Supreme Court, regarding the non-respect of French language, as stipulated in Article 5 of the Rwandan Constitution. Article five of the constitution stipulates that Rwanda uses three official languages: Kinyarwanda, French and English, however, many Government institutions such as the National Bank of Rwanda, Rwanda Revenue Authority, National ID Project and many others, have opted to either use English alone or with Kinyarwanda, and deliberately left out French, yet, majority of Rwandans use French Language. DGPR finds this behaviour a hindrance to the national unity and reconciliation process, since it leaves many people unhappy and unable to achieve their legal rights as stipulated in Article 16 of the Rwandan Constitution, which states that: ‘All human beings are equal before the law. They shall enjoy, without any discrimination, equal protection of the Law’. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda believes that Rwanda’s Supreme Court, which also constitutes itself into the Constitutional Court, will take a serious consideration of this law-suit and take a decision which will protect the Rwandan Constitution. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda was officially launched on 14th August 2009 as an opposition party. It got official registration on 9th August 2013 and accepted as a member of the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations in Rwanda on 3rd April 2014. DGPR’s Status were published in the official gazette of the Republic of Rwanda on 4th August 2014. Done at Kigali on 8th December 2014 Dr.Frank Habineza President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
The Political Bureau of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, met on 22nd November 2014 and took an official stand on the proposed request regarding the lifting of the presidential term limits from the constitution of the Republic of Rwanda. After serious analysis of the proposed request by the political bureau, the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda wishes to inform members of the media and the general public, that it does not support the proposed change as well as an advancement of this request to the parliament and a subsequent referendum on lifting of presidential term limits. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, believes that respect of the current two term limits of seven years each, is more than enough for a leader to implement his/her manifesto. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda is fully convinced that it’s important to respect the constitution in order to allow a peaceful transfer of power and implement the principal of rule of law. The request was launched by the Ideal Democratic Party (PDI), Parti Sociale-Imberakuri (PS Imberakuri) and the Party for Solidarity and Progress (PSP). Done at Kigali on 24th November 2014 Dr.Frank Habineza President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda is pleased to inform members of the media and the general public that it successfully conducted a leadership and Environmental Management Training for the members of the Political Bureau on 22nd November 2014. The training focused on the roles of party members in environmental protection, analysis of the environmental protection law and the party commitments on environmental protection as outlined in the Party’s political program. Party leaders also had a chance to be refreshed on the party’s ideology. Democracy Promotion was emphasised as the party’s first priority and the term ‘Green’ as not standing just for environmental protection but rather for an ideology that has six pillars, including: social justice, non-violence, sustainable development, respect for diversity and the promotion of human rights. Members of the Political bureau were also trained on issues concerning gender and the role of women in decision making, political leadership, conflict management and the general principals of politics. These types of trainings empower party leaders with necessary skills and knowledge that helps in the decision making process and democracy building. This training was supported by the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations in Rwanda. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda was officially launched on 14th August 2009 as an opposition party. It got official registration on 9th August 2013 and accepted as a member of the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations in Rwanda on 3rd April 2014. DGPR’s Status were published in the official gazette of the Republic of Rwanda on 4th August 2014. Done at Kigali on 24th November 2014 NTEZIMANA Jean Claude Secretary General, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda is pleased to inform members of the media and the general public that it has successfully finalised leadership trainings for party members in both Kirehe and Muhanga Districts. The trainings were conducted between 8th-16th November 2014, with support from the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations in Rwanda. The trainings focused on the following themes: Political ideology and general principals of politics Political leadership and political conflict management Political competition: elections, rules and regulations during electoral campaigns Responsibilities, structures and strategies of political parties in a democracy Partnerships between private sector and the Government in development and young entrepreneurship Gender and the role of women in decision making towards economic development DGPR also managed to establish District Executive Committees in the above mentioned two districts. Previous trainings and party structural establishments were conducted in Rubavu District, Musanze District, Huye District, Bugesera District. Provincial women structures were established in the Eastern Province, Western Province, Northern Province and Southern Province. This took place between May-June 2014. These are important milestones after the official registration of the party last year in August. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda was officially launched on 14th August 2009 as an opposition party. It got official registration on 9th August 2013 and accepted as a member of the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations in Rwanda on 3rd April 2014. DGPR s Status were published in the official gazette of the Republic of Rwanda on 4th August 2014. Done at Kigali on 9th November 2014 Dr.Frank Habineza President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda’s President, Dr.Frank HABINEZA, participated in the US Government’s International Visitor Leadership Program: Young African Leaders: Grassroots Democracy and Midterm Elections (October 20th –November 7th 2014), where he was able to learn many lessons which will be helpful in democracy strengthening and nation building in the Republic of Rwanda. During this program, DGPR’s Chairman was able to fully understand in practical terms the independent functioning of different Government institutions and the principle of separation of powers in the United States of America. It was clear and evident that different US Institutions are indeed stronger than big personalities. The gridlock in the US Senate and the House of Representatives, where both the Republicans and the Democrats agreed to disagree and where the White House could not intervene to prove its might was a clear indication of the separation of powers and respect for State institutions. The consequent outcome of the midterm elections also proved that the American people wanted both the White House and the US Congress, to reach out to each other and enable Government fulfil its duties to the citizens. Election transparency and the electronic voting machines make it difficult for those who would wish to falsify the electoral results and consequently rig elections. This transparence accompanied with the necessary technology helps in building voters confidence in the National Electoral Commission and allows losers to accept defeat. It even makes it possible for the incumbent party to lose an election to the opposition, something which we still have to encourage much more in Africa. This was indeed a key lesson learnt and worth encouraging for our country and other African states to emulate, even though the political terrain is different. The freedom exercised by different media organizations, especially in the political campaigns and the respect accorded to the fourth estate by different Government Institutions, is something worth great encouragement in the democracy building and strengthening in the Republic of Rwanda and in Africa at large. DGPR will continue to encourage Rwanda’s different state institutions to strengthen and uphold the principal of separation of powers and respect to media freedoms, in our journey of building a strong democratic state. DGPR, takes on this opportunity to acknowledge the great efforts undertaken by the US State Department, US Embassy in Kigali, Meridian International Center, World Affairs Council, Global Ties, International Focus and all other different partners in the successful implementation of this International Visitor Leadership Program for Young African Leaders. Brief Background: This program was organized by the US’s State Department in collaboration with different stake holders. It was conducted in Washington DC, New Hampshire, Missouri, Kansas and North Carolina, between October 20th – 7th November 2014. It brought together seven Young African Leaders from Nigeria, South Africa, Rwanda, South Sudan, Swaziland and DRC. It aimed at examining the democratic form of government in the United States and the significance of citizens’ participation in the democratic process. The delegates were able to observe several activities of citizen action groups and how they interact with American elected officials at the municipal, local, state and federal levels to influence political, social, and economic change as well as to promote transparency and accountability at all levels of society. They were also able to examine the diversity of views held by Americans and how this multiplicity contributes to a dynamic and resilient political system that includes free, fair and open elections. - End For more information, please contact: Email: info@rwandagreendemocrats.org Phone: + 250 788 563 039
As decided upon during our last congress in Madagascar, AGF sent delegates to support the Swedish Green Party in the September 14th general elections. Other delegates came from Eastern Europe and South America. All delegates arrived on Monday 8th September and recieved a welcoming dinner, the same night at one of the buildings of the Swedish Parlianment. Green Forum s Chairman, Lars Olof Karlson, Secretary General Chris Ormalm, several board members and EU Member of Parlianment-Bodil Ceballos as well as the Party s International Secretary, Anna Karin Anderson were all present. The next day, September 9th, several party officials including the Party Secretary General, and a representative from the Swedish Government (Sida) addresed the delegates on several issues including the dynamics of the elections. On Wednesday the 10th, delegates were briefed by Green Forum Chairman and Secretary General on the future program and later in the evening all delegates were dispatched to different Kommunes ( districts). We reconvined on monday September 15th and all depated by 17th September. The elections on September 14th went well, the Swedish Green Party managed to get 25 seats in Parlianment as was the case in 2010, however, the racist party-the Sweden Democrats (SD), more than doubled its votes and will have 48 MPs. This is indeed a big challenge for Sweden, because this new party hates all imigrants and wants them all out of Sweden. It has the same ideology of the French Front Nationale of Marie Le Pen or Jean Marie Le Pen. The good news is that the Swedish Green Party will be a member of the new Government with their partner the Social Democrats. They may form a broad based government, which would bring in some parties from the center-right to block the extreme right-racists (SD). The African delegates were: Nissao Napo ( Western Africa) Charles Maringo ( Eastern Affrica) Fatima Alaoui ( Northern Africa) Kelvin Kaunda ( Southern Affrica) Badono Daigou ( Central Africa) Robinah K Nanyunja ( AGF Treasurer) Frank Habineza ( AGF President) N.B: Ms.Saraha Georgette,from the Indian Ocean region, was not able to participate due to unavolidale circumstances. This election brings out new opportunities and new challenges, but we shall continue to watch the developments. Please find attached some few photos Warm greetings Dr. Frank HABINEZA, Founding President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda President, African Greens Federation Executive Committee Member, Global Greens Coordination http://www.rwandagreendemocrats.orghttp://www.africangreens.orghttp://www.globalgreens.org
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda wishes to inform its members and the general public that today, the 21st August 2014, attended its first meeting in the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations in Rwanda and its National Treasurer, Ms.Florence Mukobwajana got elected as the Vice President of the Forum’s Executive Committee. Ms.Florence Mukobwajana has a wide experience in managerial duties, she worked before as the Executive Secretary of the Women’s Network for Rural Development (Reseau des Femmes Pour Le Developpement Rural), she was also a communuty Mobiliser of the Ministry of Local Government in the fomer Rusatira District, among other duties. DGPR, hopes to use this new position to promote internal democracy in the National Political Parties Forum. We decided to join the forum in order to give the party a chance to share its political program with other political leaders and promote the culture of debate as an opposition party on different matters affecting the state. Done at Kigali, 21st August 2014 Dr.Frank HABINEZA DGPR’s President
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda strongly condemns both the deaths threats and armed attack against Mrs.Ingabire Marie Immaculet the Transparency International Rwanda Chief. Transparency International Rwanda under Mrs.Ingabire Immaculet has always stood against corruption but such death threats and the armed attack as witnessed yesterday at her offices in Kigali, are aimed at silencing both her and the organisation, a thing that cannot be tolerated in a country that has a zero-tolerance on corruption. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda is very concerned, with this attack and the phone call she received wondering whether she was still alive, as some had speculated that she had been shot dead in Rubavu district. This happens as investigations into the murder of a Transparency International staff, Gustave Makonene, last year in Rubavu have not yet produced any tangible results. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda calls upon the Rwandan National Police to expedite these investigations and bring the culprits of these heinous crimes to justice. Done at Kigali, 30th July 2014 Dr.Frank HABINEZA President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda’s top leadership today met with the Rwandan Minister of Internal Security, Sheik Musa Fazil Harerimana at his offices in Kigali. DGPR’s President in accompany with the First Vice President and the Secretary General discussed with the Interior Minister, issues concerning the disappearance of DGPR’s National Organising Secretary, Jean Damascene Munyeshyaka, who has not been seen in public since 27th June 2014. The Minister promised to expedite the investigations and to give the case its due priority. DGPR’s leaders also requested for an update on the investigations of the party’s Ex-Vice President, Andre Kagwa Rwisereka, who was found decapitated on 14th July 2010. The Minister confirmed that the case is still open and that investigations will continue. The Democratic Green Party wishes to appreciate the Internal Security Minister for his availability and commitment and hopes that the case of Jean Damascene Munyeshyaka’s whereabouts will be resolved very soon. DGPR would like to once again take on this opportunity to call upon all concerned authorities to expedite the investigations and give this case its due priority. Done at Kigali, 15th July 2014 Dr.Frank Habineza DGPR President
