Press Statement: DGPR Calls for more Psychological and Economic Empowerment of Genocide Survivors and the Youth born out of Rape during the Genocide. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda joins all Rwandans in the 22nd commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. We stand in unison with the nation in fighting the genocide ideology. DGPR would like to take on this opportunity to call upon the Rwandan Government and all stakeholders to add more efforts in the psychological and economic empowerment of all Genocide Survivors and the youth born out of rape during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. DGPR calls upon the Government of Rwanda and all concerned stakeholders to double their efforts in the social welfare program of the Genocide survivors, especially the provision of basic needs like shelter, food, education and employment opportunities to the youth survivors and those born out of rape. DGPR once again calls for an urgent attention to the elderly survivors who were left with no offspring or relatives. Most of them do not have physical strengths and no means of survival. We call for a special fund and or a project for the elderly at the community level, which will help to address this problem. We will continue to stand with fellow Rwandans in the remembrance of our beloved ones, who lost their lives in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Never again. Kigali, 7th April 2016 DGPR
Upon invitation by the Rwandan Parliament, on Thursday, 10th March 2016, the President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, together with the Party’s Secretary General and National Treasurer, met with the Deputy Speaker of Parliament in charge of Legal affairs and control of the Government, accompanied by the Director of Legal Affairs and discussed issues concerning DGPR’s requests for electoral and political reforms. The Deputy Speaker, cited some articles in the constitution and the organic law governing the Rwandan parliament, saying that the Party has no rights to call for legal reforms, that it’s only the obligation of a member of parliament, group of parliamentarians and cabinet, which can initiate a legal revision. Democratic Green Party leaders, reminded the Deputy Speaker, that the Party has currently no member in Parliament and thus requested the Parliament in general to initiate that process, especially after what was witnessed last year, when millions of Rwandan flocked Parliament calling for constitutional reform. The Deputy Speaker, clarified that all Members of Parliament represent and serve the interest of the general public, but we do need to identify one who could start the process or ask Cabinet to do so. Given the fact that all the Members of Parliament represent the general Public, DGPR once again requests the Rwandan Parliament to take this matter as a national priority and make those electoral and political reforms, since all MPs equally represent DGPR members in Parliament. P.S: Press Statement from Parliament is attached. For more details, please contact: Mr.Ntezimana Jean Claude Secretary General, DGPR Phone: +250788774757
The Political Bureau of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, during its meeting on 5th March 2016 in Kigali, decided that it will not participate in the upcoming Presidential elections, if the Government of Rwanda does not respond to its demands for political and electoral reforms. DGPR submitted its petition to the Rwandan Parliament on 10th February 2016, but till now, it has received no response. The opposition Party also decided that it will make a people’s peaceful match and visit to the Rwandan Parliament soon in order to clarify its positions to the members of Parliament. Among the key demands for participating in the upcoming Presidential elections, we have the following: DGPR requests the introduction of an electronic voting system that equally uses ballot papers. DGPR requests that media organizations be allowed to announce election results after being declared by poll officials at all polling stations and tallying centers. DGPR requests that Election observers be allowed to monitor elections in all poling and tallying centers at Village, Cell, Sector and District levels. DGPR requests that all Political Parties be represented in the National Electoral Commission. DGPR requests that the political parties law of 12/07/2013 be revised, especially in its article 24, where it prohibits political parties to accept donations from foreign organizations. The law can be revised and conditions be put on foreign support, such as declarations of the source of funding and provision of reports to the concerned Government bodies. DGPR requests that the election law be revised for political parties to receive campaign support from the state in advance, instead of being reimbursed after getting the 5 percent of the national vote after the elections. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda call us upon the Rwandan Government to give equal treatment and opportunities to the members of the opposition and stop treating them as foreigners or enemies of the state. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, also trained its members on Sustainable Health Care, and demands the Government of Rwanda to make a new policy that gives equal access and chances to the local people who are subscribed to the mutual insurance scheme. The locals need to be treated equally like other insured Rwandans under Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB). Currently, those under Mutual Insurance scheme, get poor service and generic medicines, which most times do not heal serious diseases. Citizens are also pressurized by local government officials to pay the insurance money and sometimes their cattle, goats, food produce is confiscated in order to pay. There is also an urgent need to address absence of doctors and medical practitioners during weekends. The party registered cases of people who lost their babies and people in general, after getting no help form Health Centres during weekend. The Ministry of Health should address this challenge. DGPR calls upon all hospitals and health centres to: reduce and recycle solid waste, reduce regulated and chemical waste, reduce energy and water consumption, create healing environments, and establish green purchasing policies. DGPR also calls upon the Rwanda Government to start a new policy of specialised training for traditional healers and improved traditional medicine. The traditional healers, need study scholarships and applied research in order to become real professionals. Done at Kigali, 7th March 2016 Dr.Frank Habineza President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
Kuri uyu wa gatatu taliki 10/2/2016 ishyaka Democratic Green Party of Rwanda ryavuze ko ryandikiye Inteko Ishinga Amategeko riyisaba ko yavugurura itegeko rigenga amashyaka ndetse n’irigenga amatora mbere y’uko haba amatora ya Perezida wa Repubulika ya 2017 n’ay’ Abadepite ya 2018. Frank Habineza uyobora Democratic Green Party of Rwanda Kuri uyu wa gatatu taliki 10/2/2016 ishyaka Democratic Green Party of Rwanda ryavuze ko ryandikiye Inteko Ishinga Amategeko riyisaba ko yavugurura itegeko rigenga amashyaka ndetse n’irigenga amatora mbere y’uko haba amatora ya Perezida wa Repubulika ya 2017 n’ay’ Abadepite ya 2018. Mu itangazo iri shyaka ryashyize ahagaragara, rivuga ko ryasabye Inteko Ishinga Amategeko kuvugurura zimwe mu ngingo zitanoze ribona ko ziri muri aya mategeko yombi. Nk’uko bigaragara kandi muri iri tangazo, izi ni impinduka Green Party isaba ko zabaho muri ariya mategeko uko ari abairi: 1. Green Party isaba ko abayobozi mu nzego bwite za Leta batanakurira imitwe ya politiki ku rwego rw’ Intara, Akarere, Umurenge cyangwa urundi rwego rw’ubuyobozi mu nzego z’ibanze. 2. Green Party isaba kandi ko itegeko rigenga abakandida bigenga mu matora ryahinduka kuko ribona harimo akarengane aho basabwa kugira amajwi 5% angana n’asabwa umutwe wa politiki. Green Party isaba ko umukandida wigenga yasabwa byibuze amajwi angana na 2%. 3. Green Party isaba ko ishyaka ryasabwa amajwi 4% kugira ngo rihabwe imyanya mu Inteko Ishinga Amategeko aho kuba 5% itegeko ririho ubu risaba 4. Green Party isaba ko uburyo burho bwo gutora bwasimbuzwa ikoranabuhanga kugira ngo habe amatora arushijeho kwizerwa 5. Green Party isaba ko itangazamakuru ryakwemererwa gutangaza imibare iba yatangajwe n’abakuriye ibyumba by’itora igihe bari kubara amajwi aho batoreshereje. 6. Green Party isaba ko indorererezi zakwemererwa gukurikirana imigendekere y’amatora kuva ku midugudu yose kugeza ku Karere kugira ngo habeho amatora anyuze mu mucyo kandi n’abantu bakomeze kugirira ikizere Komisiyo y’Igihugu y’Amatora 7. Green Party isaba ko amashyaka yose yahagararirwa muri Komisiyo y’’Igihugu Amatora 8. Green Party isaba ko inkunga yo kwiyamamaza Leta itera amashyaka yitabiriye amatora yayibona mbere aho kuyihabwa nyuma ari uko yabashije kubona amajwi 5% muri ayo matora. Green Party ivuga ko Burukina Faso yabera urugero rwiza u Rwanda kuko amashyaka yahoo abona inkunga ya Guverinoma mbere y’amatora. Ngo ibi byafasha amashyaka kwiyamamaza nta busumbane bukabije . 9. Green Party isaba ko itegeko rigenga amashyaka ryo kuwa 12/7/2013 ryavugururwa cyane cyane ingingo yaryo ya 24 ibuza amashyaka kwakira inkunga ziturutse hanze ikavamo. Green Party ikaba yifuza ko amashyaka yakwemererwa kwakira inkunga zo hanze ariko akagaragaza aho yaturutse n’icyo yakoreshejwe mu nzego za Leta zibifitiye ububasha. Iri shyaka ritanga urugero rwa Uganda aho itegeko ryemerera amashyaka yo muri iki gihugu kwakira inkunga zo hanze ariko akayigaragariza Guverinoma kandi agatanga raporo y’uko yakoreshejwe. Ikindi kandi ni uko iri tegeko ryo muri Uganda rigena agaciro k’inkunga umuterankunga umwe adashobora kurenza ku ishyaka rimwe mu gihe cy’umwaka. Green Party ivuga ko gutoresha impapuro bitizewe cyane nk’uko hakoreshwa ikoranabuhanga Green Party ivuga yizeye igisubizo cyiza kizava mu Inteko Ishinga Amategeko kandi ko Inteko izashyigikira ko demukarasi ishinga imizi igafasha amashyaka kwiyubaka mbere y’amatora yimirijwe imbere. Source: http://umuryango.rw/amakuru/mu-rwanda/Politiki/article/green-party-yasabye-ko-uburyo-bwo-gutora-busanzweho-bw-impapuro-bwasimbuzwa
Nyuma yo gusaba ko Itegeko Nshinga ry’u Rwanda ritavugururwa, Ishyaka riharanira Demokarasi no kurengera Ibidukikije,Green Party ryagejeje ku Nteko Ishinga Amategeko ubusabe bwo kuvugurura itegeko rigenga amatora n’irigenga imitwe ya politiki mu Rwanda. Nyuma yo gutanga ubu busabe ku gicamunsi cyo kuri uyu wa Gatatu tariki ya 10 Gashyantare 2016,Umuyobozi mukuru wa Green Party, Dr Frank Habineza yabwiye itangazamakuru ko basaba Inteko gushyiraho itegeko rishya ribuza abayobozi b’inzego z’ibanze kuyobora imitwe ya Politiki,kuko basanga baba bafite aho babogamiye kandi baratowe n’abaturage. Yagize ati″Iyo abaturage twese mu mudugudu cyangwa mu kagari dutoye umuntu nyuma agahinduka umuyobozi w’ishyaka,twumva tumutakarije icyizere twari tumufitiye, kuko aba agaragaje aho abogamiye. Iyo nka Meya ayoboye ishyaka ku rwego rw’Akarere ari n’umukozi wa Leta,turumva ibyo bibangamye cyane nubwo twemera ko na we yemerewe kugira ishyaka abarizwamo.” Dr Habineza yavuze ko bifuza ko amajwi asabwa umukandida n’amashyaka yigenga kugira ngo abone imyanya mu Nteko Ishinga Amategeko yagabanuka nk’uko bimeze mu bindi bihugu nka Suède. Umuyobozi wa Green Party, Dr Frank Habineza ageza ubusabe bwabo mu bunyamabanga bw Inteko Ishinga Amategeko Umukandida wigenga akwiye kuva ku majwi 5% asabwa,agashyirwa kuri 2%, na ho ishyaka ryigenga rigasabwa 3% cyangwa 4% aho kuba 5%. Ikindi umuyobozi wa Green Party asobanura kiri mu byo basaba ni uko amatora yajya akorwa hakoreshejwe impapuro n’ikoranabuhanga icyarimwe, ndetse n’itangazamakuru ntirihezwe ahabarirwa amajwi y’ibyavuye mu matora hose kuko no mu bihugu nka Kenya bihaba kandi ko ntacyo byica. Yagize ati″Hari icyo tunenga. Ntushobora kumenya uko amajwi yabazwe kuva ku mudugudu kugera ku murenge n’ahandi. Byaba byiza itangazamakuru rihari rikamenya uburyo amajwi ateranywa,rikaba ryanabitangaza kugira ngo tubimenye ako kanya ndetse hagashyirwaho n’indorerezi ku Karere.” Green Party isaba kandi ko n’itegeko rigenga imitwe ya Politiki mu Rwanda ryavugururwa cyane cyane mu ngingo yaryo ya 24 iyibuza kubona inkunga zo hanze y’igihugu zitangwa n’ibigo mpuzamahanga. Green Party yihaye ibyumweru bibiri ngo irebe ko izaba yasubijwe Dr Habineza ati″Ibyo tuvuga ntabwo ari ishyano.Tuzi ko no mu gihugu cy’abaturanyi cya Uganda byemewe mu gihe amashyaka yerekanye aho amafaranga yavuye,kandi turi muri ‘East African Community’.Turumva nta mpungenge Leta ikwiye kugira ko bishobora guteza ikibazo kandi n’ahandi bihari.“ Abajijwe niba kutabona izo nkunga hari icyo byabangamiye ku mikorere ya Green Party, Dr Habineza yirinze kugira byinshi atangaza, icyakora yavuze ko hari ibigo mpuzamahanga byinshi biba byifuza gushyigikira Demokarasi mu Rwanda ariko ntibikunde bitewe n’iyo ngingo, aho yatanze urugero ku bigo nka ‘National Democratic Institute’,na ‘Republican Institute’ byo muri Amerika. Green Party kandi yanasabye ko imitwe ya politiki yose yagira abayihagarariye muri Komisiyo y’Igihugu y’Amatora kandi ishyaka cyangwa umukandida wiyamamaje mu matora agahabwa amafaranga amufasha mbere aho kuyahabwa nyuma kuko ngo iyo bitagenze bityo usanga inkunga ibona uwatsinze amatora. Ishyaka Green Party rivuga ko ryihaye nibura ibyumweru bibiri ngo rirebe ko ryaba ryasubijwe, kandi ngo nibitaba rizagaruka mu Nteko kubaza impamvu. Green Party yifuza ko hajyaho itegeko ribuza abayobozi b inzego z ibanze kuyobora imitwe ya politikiDr Frank Habineza yagaragarije itangazamakuru bimwe mu byo bifuza ko byavugururwa mu itegeko rigenga amatora n imitwe ya politiki Source:http://www.igihe.com/amakuru/u-rwanda/article/green-party-yasabye-ivugururwa-ry-andi-mategeko
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda has today, the 10th of February 2016, submitted its petition to the Rwandan Parliament, calling for revisions in the national election laws and the political parties Act. These political reforms are needed before the 2017 Presidential Elections and the 2018 Parliamentary elections and would enable a level playing field. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda made the following demands from the Rwandan Parliament: DGPR requests that a law be enacted to prohibit all elected officials holding public offices, becoming Chairpersons of political organizations at provincial, district, sector and other local levels of administration. DGPR requests a revision on the law governing independent candidates. We find it unfair for an independent candidate to be judged on the same 5 percent threshold like political parties. We suggest that such a threshold be not more than 2 percent. DGPR requests the revision of parties’ election threshold for entering the Rwandan parliament to be reduced from 5 percent to 4 percent. DGPR requests the introduction of an electronic voting system that equally uses ballot papers. We encourage the use of ICT in the electoral process, as it promotes voter’s confidence. DGPR requests that media organizations be allowed to announce election results after being declared by poll officials at all polling stations and tallying centers. DGPR requests that Election observers be allowed to monitor elections in all poling and tallying centers at Village, Cell, Sector and District levels. This will promote more transparency and help in increasing the trust we have in the National Electoral Commission. DGPR also requests that all Political Parties be represented in the National Electoral Commission. DGPR requests that the election law be revised for political parties to receive campaign support from the state in advance, instead of being reimbursed after getting the 5 percent of the national vote after the elections. Political Parties in Burkina Faso receive campaign support in advance and this can be a good example for Rwanda. This change will allow all political parties to be on a level playing field. DGPR requests that the political parties law of 12/07/2013 be revised, especially in its article 24, where it prohibits political parties to accept donations from foreign organizations. DGPR requests that the law be revised and conditions be put on foreign support, such as declarations of the source of funding and provision of reports to the concerned Government bodies. The good example is Uganda, where political parties can receive foreign support but declare its source and give reports to the Government. There is also a limit on what a single donor can give to the political party in a given year in Uganda. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, believes that a positive reaction from the Rwandan Parliament will lay a strong foundation for democracy and will allow all political parties have a level playing field before the upcoming general elections. Done at Kigali, 10th February 2016. Dr.Frank HABINEZA President, DGPR
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, takes on this moment to thank all party members, supporters, the media fraternity, Government of Rwanda, the International community, the Global Greens Family and the general public for the different support accorded to the party during 2015. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda consolidated its gains from 2014 and achieved key milestones during 2015. We are hopeful that 2016 will be a year of greater achievements. DGPR has established party structures in 15 districts and in all provinces in the country. Our Goal in 2016 will be to finalise the establishment of party structures in the remaining 15 districts. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda successfully conducted a training on Gender Mainstreaming in politics and environment for members of the political bureau on 14th March 2015. This training focused on: the role of women in decision making towards economic development, the role of women and girls in environmental protection and the role of women in public administration. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, submitted a petition to the Rwandan Parliament against the proposed amendment of lifting the presidential term limits from the Constitution on 13th May 2015. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda on 3rd June 2015, filed a lawsuit to the Supreme Court demanding it to stop the plans of changing the constitution specifically the non- lifting of presidential term limits, whose final judgement was pronounced on 8th October 2015. Having not received a favourable judgement from the Supreme Court, the party petitioned the President of the Republic on the same matter on 14th October 2015. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda on 17th October 2015, successfully trained its political bureau members on participatory democracy, human rights and elections. The party leaders were trained on their role in the promotion of free and fair elections, promotion of human rights in Rwanda and their active involvement in participatory democracy. The Party also awarded certificates to 24 graduates of the Youth Political Leadership Academy organised by the National Consultative Forum of Political Organisations in Rwanda on 17th October 2015. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, appealed to the National Public Prosecution Authority on 20th October 2015, to take over from the National Police the dossier of the Party’s Ex-National Organising Secretary, Jean Damascene MUNYESHYAKA, who went missing on 27th June 2014 in Nyamata town, Bugesera District. The National Public Prosecution authority has been requested to finalise those investigations, and let the public know whether, Mr. Jean Damascene Munyeshyaka is still alive or already dead. DGPR will continue to pursue this case in 2016. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda was able to participate in its first national election, which was the 2015 constitutional referendum held on 18th and 19th December 2015. The party called upon its members and Rwandans in general to cast a NO VOTE during the referendum, although, it was not able to conduct its planned nationwide NO-CHANGE Campaign. Looking ahead to 2016, the party will continue to work towards achieving a peaceful transfer of power in Rwanda and will start preparing for the upcoming Presidential elections in 2017, Parliamentary elections in 2018 and the Senators’ elections in 2019. On behalf of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, we wish to thank you all for supporting the democracy cause in Rwanda. Please accept our best wishes to you and your families for a wonderful holiday season and a very Happy New Year 2016. -DGPR, 31st December 2015 -
Rwandans have casted their votes in a national referendum aimed at maintaining the incumbent President to be elected for three more presidential terms. The National Electoral commission has announced victory for that constitutional change. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda takes note of the referendum results. However, the manner in which the election was held did not guarantee a level playing field, since the cabinet issued a one-week short notice for the referendum to be conducted, this would not be enough time for a meaningful campaign. The National Electoral Commission also confirmed that campaigns were not permitted, meaning that the Party’s NO CHANGE campaign would be illegal. However, members of parliament were able to campaign for a YES vote during their national sensitization program. The Democratic Green Party will continue the democratic struggle and ensure that Rwanda will have sustainable peace, security and development. The Party’s official message has been clear since 22nd November 2014, when the Party’s political Bureau confirmed that it would not support any change in the constitution, especially the lifting of presidential term limits but demanded the reduction of the term duration from seven to five years. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda conducted a number of activities against the change of the constitution: Petitioning the Parliament on 13th May 2015, requesting the non- lifting of presidential term limits from the constitution. Filing the law-suit to the Supreme Court on 3rd June 2015, against the change of the constitution especially on Presidential term limits, whose full hearing was on 23rd September 2015 and final verdict was pronounced on 8th October 2015. Petitioning the President of the Republic after the supreme court ruling on 14th October 2015. Holding several public talk-shows on different radios and televisions, media interviews and other activities against the change of the constitution. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda will not give up on the struggle to make Rwanda a vibrant democracy. We will continue to work towards achieving a peaceful transfer of power in Rwanda. Done on 18th December 2015 Dr.Frank Habineza President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
Ishyaka Democratic Green Party of Rwanda rirahamagarira abayoboke baryo ndetse n’abanyarwanda muri rusange kuzatora OYA mu matora ya Referendum azaba kuwa 17-18/12/2015. Ishyaka Riharanira Demokarasi no Kurengera Ibidukikije mu Rwanda, ntabwo ryabonye umwanya uhagije wo kuzenguruka igihugu rihamagarira abanyarwanda gutora OYA, kubera uburyo Referendum yemejwe igitaraganya, ariko rikaba risaba abayoboke baryo ndetse n abanyarwanda muri rusange, kuzatora OYA. Ishyaka Green Party ryasuye komisiyo y amatora kugirango ryumve niba hazabaho ibikorwa byo kwamamaza Referendum maze ribwirwa ko ntabyateguwe, icyakora ngo ko hazabaho gushishikariza abaturage kuzatora Referendum. Kuva abanyarwanda batandukanye batangira urugendo rwo gusaba ko itegeko nshinga ryavugururwa cyane cyane mu ngingo ya 101, yagenaga umubare wa manda z umukuru w igihugu, Ishyaka Democratic Green Party ntiryahwemye kugaragaza ko ritabishyigikiye. Mu bikorwa ryakoze byamagana ivugururwa ry itegeko nshinga harimo kuba mu kwezi kwa Gicurasi uyu mwaka ryarandikiye Inteko Ishinga Amategeko riyisaba ko itegeko nshinga ritavugururwa, ariko cyane cyane risaba ko ingingo ya 101 itakorwaho. Ishyaka DGPR kandi ryanatanze ikirego mu rukiko rw ikirenga mu kwezi kwa Kamena uyu mwaka, nabwo risaba ko itegeko nshinga ritakorwaho cyane cyane mu ngingo yaryo ya 101. Democratic Green Party of Rwanda kandi yanandikiye Perezida wa Repubulika ubwe, nabwo imusaba ko itegeko nshinga ritakorwaho. Mu itangazamakuru ryo mu Rwanda ndetse no hanze, abayobozi ba DGPR bagaragaje ko badashyigikiye ko itegeko nshinga rihinduka. Ishyaka DGPR rishyigikiye ko habaho ihererekanya ry ubutegetsi mu mahoro, kubera iyo mpamvu abanyarwanda bose bazatore OYA. Dr.Frank Habineza Perezida wa DGPR 14/12/2015
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, wishes to inform members of the media and the general public, that its planned constitutional referendum no-change campaign will not be carried out, due to the one-week short notice given for the referendum to be conducted. The Referendum was confirmed yesterday, 8th December 2015, by the cabinet meeting and will be held next week on Friday, the 18th December 2015. Today, the party consulted the National Electoral Commission, on the possibility of having the referendum campaigns and was informed that campaigns have not been programed that rather the commission will sensitize the voters on the conduct of the referendum. Cognisant of all the sensitization efforts the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda conducted against the change of the constitution: Petitioning the Parliament in May 2015, requesting the non- lifting of presidential term limits from the constitution. Filing the law-suit to the Supreme Court in June 2015, against the change of the constitution especially on Presidential term limits, whose final verdict was pronounced in October 2015. Petitioning the President of the Republic after the supreme court ruling. Holding several public talk shows on different radios and televisions, media interviews and other activities. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda calls upon its members and all Rwandans to cast a NO VOTE during the upcoming referendum and consider all the arguments given against the change of the constitution, especially on presidential term limits. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, will continue with its sensitization efforts against the change of the constitution and will continue to call for a peaceful transfer of power. 9th December 2015 Dr. Frank Habineza President, DGPR
