Ishyaka Riharanira Demokarasi no Kubungabunga Ibidukikije (Democratic Green Party of Rwanda) ryabonye urishyigikira mu kurega basaba ko ingingo ya 101 mu itegeko Nshinga igena umubare wa manda k’umukuru w’igihugu cy’u Rwanda itahinduka. Ikigo giharanira iyubahirizwa ry ’Uburenganzira bwa muntu mu Rwanda (Centre For Human Rights Rwanda) nacyo cyandikiye urukiko rw’ikirenga inyandiko ndende ibumbatiye ikirego gisa n’icya Green Party mu kurega Leta y’u Rwanda gushaka guhindura itegeko rikuru ry’igihugu. Bamwe mu banyarwanda bamaze iminsi berekana aho bahagaze ku guhindura itegeko nshinga ariko hari n’abandi batari bagira icyo batangaza kandi umubare wabo ni munini ugendeye ku bagera hafi kuri miliyoni enye bandikiye inteko basaba impinduka. N’ubwo abadepite ku itariki 14 Nyakanga basaga n’aho bemeje ko itegeko nshinga rizahinduka nk’uko bamwe babibasabye nyuma baje gusanga byapfa kuba byiza bamanutse bakumva na babandi batanditse ndetse n’abanditse icyo batekereza ari nabyo bikomeje hirya no hino mu mirenge n’ubundi interoa ri ntayindi uretse guhindura iri tegeko. Ishyaka Green Party ryarareze risaba ko izo mpinduka zitabaho n’ubwo urubanza rwaryo rwajemo kidobya abavoka bagatinya icyo kiraka cyo kuriburanira ntabyo byaciriye aho kuko ubu bamaze kubona undi uzababburanira ndetse ikidasanzwe n’uko noneho ikigo giharanira uburenganzira bwa muntu mu Rwanda cyitwa Centre for Human Rights in Rwanda cyamaze kwerekana ko gishyikiye iri shyaka ryeruye rigahakana mu mbaga y’abemera. Mu ibaruwa bandikiye Urukiko rw’Ikirenga, Maitre Gatete Thierry Kevin uyobora Centre For Human Rights Rwanda agaragaza ko badasanzwe bakorana na Green Party ariko bakaba bashaka kubashyigikira mu rubanza rubuza ko habaho guhindura Itegeko Nshinga kuko ngo basanze ibyo bavuga bifite ishingiro. Bashingira kuki bashyigikiraGreen Party? Mu byo bashingiraho banenga icyemezo cyo guhindura Itegeko Nshinga, babwiye Urukiko rw’Ikirenga ko Abaminisitiri, Abameya n’abagize Inteko Ishinga Amategeko, bagiye bagaragara ubwabo bakangurira abaturage iby’uko hakwiye guhindurwa Itegeko Nshinga, ndetse ngo hakaba haragiye hifashishwa ikibazo kigira giti: Murashaka ko Perezida Kagame akomeza kuyobora Abanyarwanda? , aho kubaza ngo Mwaba mushaka ko Itegeko Nshinga twitoreye ryubahirizwa? aha bakagaragaza ko ibyakozwe ari ukuyobora abaturage mu gutanga igisubizo abo bayobozi bishakiraga. Bavuga kandi ko n’ubwo hari benshi baba baranditse basaba ko Itegeko Nshinga rihindurwa, hari abandi batabisabye kandi ngo ari inshingano z’Iryo Tegeko Nshinga kuba ryarengera abo bake batumva ibintu kimwe n’abandi n’iyo baba babaruta mu bwinshi. Bagaragaza kandi ko hari ibyabaye mu mateka y’u Rwanda bikwiye kuba isomo ryo kubahiriza amategeko. Bagaragarije urukiko ko mu mwaka w’1972, abaturage nabwo basabye ko Perezida wariho icyo gihe; Gregoire Kayibanda yakongererwa indi manda ya gatatu ari nayo yaje gukurura ibibazo bya Politiki byaje kuba intandaro yo kumuhitana, ndetse bakavuga ko ibyifuzo n’ibitekerezo by’abaturage bidakwiye gushingirwaho hafatwa ibyemezo bikomeye, ahubwo bakwiye kuyoborwa n’Itegeko Nshinga. Ishyaka Green Party ritakomwe mu nkokora n’amagambo yavugiwe mu nteko yasaga n’aho yirengagije ko hari n’abadashaka impinduka mu itegeko Nshinga ubu ngo iriteguye ihagaze bwuma, umunyamategeko yamaze kumubona kuri uyu wa gatatu uje tariki ya 29 Nyakanga 2015 iraburana na Leta isaba ko Itegeko Nshinga ry’u Rwanda ritahinduka. Source: http://imirasire.com/amakuru-yose/amakuru-mashya/mu-rwanda/article/ishyaka-green-party-ryabonye-umuterankunga-ukomeye-mu-rubanza-rwo-guhangana-n-uko-itegeko-nshinga-ry-u-rwanda-ritahinduka
Umuryango uharanira uburenganzira bwa muntu mu Rwanda (Center for Human Rights) wagobotse ushyigikira ishyaka riharanira Demokarasi no kurengera ibidukikije (DGPR) mu rubanza riregamo Leta y’u Rwanda ku ivugururwa ry’Itegeko Nshinga. Nk’uko byagaragajwe mu mwanzuro ‘Amicus Curiae’ ushyigikira DGPR muri urwo rubanza, uyu muryango wavuze ko ikirego cy’iryo shyaka gifite ishingiro kandi ko Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rufite ubushobozi bwo kuburanisha iki kirego. Mu ngingo 38 uyu muryango wagaragaje nk’izashingiweho mu gutanga gushyigikira Green Party (DGPR), wavuze ko leta y’u Rwanda yagize uruhare mu gukangurira abaturage gusaba ko ingingo ya 101 yavugururwa. Ukomeza uvuga ko leta ishobora kuregwa ku guhindura ingingo ya 101 bitewe n’uko byagaragaye ko hari ababigizemo uruhare bakoresheje umwanya bafite muri leta, bagakora ubukangurambaga kimwe n’abaturage. Uko kugoboka k’umuryango uharanira uburenganzira bwa muntu kunagaragaza ko abakozi ba leta barimo abayobozi b’uturere, aba Minisitiri ndetse n’intumwa za rubanda zagiye zikangurira abaturage kwitabira ku bwinshi kwandika inyandiko zisaba ko ingingo ya 101 y’Itegeko Nshinga yavugururwa. Izi nshuti z’urukiko zavuze ko Itegeko Nshinga ari igitabo gikomeye cy’abanyarwanda hakirindwa amarangamutima bitewe n’uko riba ari iry’Abanyarwanda baba ibisekuru bya mbere, abahari ndetse no ku bisekuru bizakurikira, bityo aha akaba ari ho urukiko rushinzwe kurinda iri tegeko rwagakwiye kureba inyungu zihuriweho, atari iz’umuntu umwe cyangwa itsinda runaka. Iki kirego gikomeza kigaragaza ko urukiko rushinzwe kurengera Itegeko Nshinga rwagakwiye kuzirikana ko nta muntu ushobora kwitwa ko ari we wenyine wagenwe n’Imana ngo ayobore u Rwanda. Uwo muryango ugaragaza ko ibibazo byabajijwe abaturage hagamijwe kumenya niba bifuza ko Perezida Kagame akomeza kubayobora, byabajijwe nabi bitewe n’inyungu za bamwe. Centre for Human Rights ivuga ko ubajije iki kibazo umuturage adashobora kwanga Perezida bitewe n’uko nta kibazo bafitanye, ari na ho ngo Urukiko rw’Ikirenga rwagakwiye kwinjiramo rukabuza amarangamutima y’abaturage ku Itegeko Nshinga ry’igihugu. Urubanza rwa DGPR na Leta y’u Rwanda ku ivugururwa ry’Itegeko Nshinga ruzaburanishwa kuwa Gatatu tariki ya 29 Nyakanga 2015 mu Rukiko rw’Ikirenga, iryo shyaka rikaba ritangaza ko ryamaze kubona umunyamategeko uzariburanira. Source: http://www.igihe.com/politiki/amakuru/article/center-for-human-rights-yagobotse
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda is pleased to inform the entire public and members of the media that the Centre for Human Rights Rwanda has submitted to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Rwanda an ‘Amicus Curiae’ as friends of the court, a legal statement supporting the case of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda versus the State, against the lifting of term limits from the Rwandan Constitution. The Supreme Court hearing will be on this Wednesday, 29th July 2015 at 09:00 AM. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda has successfully contracted a new lawyer, whom it hopes will ably represent it in this Supreme Court hearing. The Centre for Human Rights Rwanda has a vested interest and cause in the above-mentioned case as an organization Registered in Rwanda and serving interests of Rwandans. The Centre for Human Rights – Rwanda is willing to offer pro-bono support to the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda in their endeavor to request the Supreme Court of the Republic of Rwanda to give a legal opinion on the ongoing discussion, petitioning and Parliamentary consultations, building up to a potential Referendum for the modification of Article 101 of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda. STATEMENT OF THE AMICUS CURIAE This Amicus Curiae is submitted in support of the petition by the ‘Democratic Green Party of Rwanda’s to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Rwanda, requesting a ruling on the possible change of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda, especially in its Section 101, on Presidential term limits. The Centre for Human Rights Rwanda is not affiliated to the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda; The Centre for Human Rights Rwanda submits this Amicus Curiae brief as part of its mission to conduct Public Interest Litigation in Rwanda; The Centre for Human Rights Rwanda believes that this initiative and the subsequent ruling by the Supreme Court of the Republic of Rwanda will contribute to the Jurisprudence in our country and beyond; The Centre for Human Rights envisions a Rwandan Supreme Court that is more active and pedagogic in advising the executive on how to govern in accordance with the Laws of Rwanda, and the Legislature on the implications of their resolutions in the face of international law, especially the conventions to which Rwanda is a party; The Centre for Human Rights Rwanda believes that this legal initiative by the Democratic Green Party is healthy for the growth of our insipient democracy and rule of law; The Centre for Human Rights Does not accept any implications for intervening as Amicus Curiae in a third party case, with the sole aim of promoting the rule of law in Rwanda MERITES AND ARGUMENTS Merits The Supreme Court of Rwanda, being the highest court of the land, serves, as the Constitutional Court in Rwanda, and is competent to hear all matters pertaining to the interpretation of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda as per its Section 145. 2. Art. 6(3) of the LAW N°21/2012 OF 14/06/2012 RELATING TO THE CIVIL, COMMERCIAL, LABOUR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE, prescribes that: ‘Judges cannot refuse to decide a case on any pretext, even if the law is silent on the matter, obscure or insufficient.’ The august Court may therefore not deny justice to the Appellant, without orienting him on the more competent jurisdiction. Further International jurisprudence is provided herein to buttress this submission. 3. The State may be sued for the petitioning process requesting a referendum for the change of Section 101 of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda as several government officials have used their position and capacity to campaign with the public for petitions in that respect. 4. Ministers, Legislators and Mayors are on record campaigning in favor of extending presidential terms. In the eyes of the Rwandan public, and indeed in our own eyes, there is no difference between a government official speaking on behalf of the government or in his individual capacity as a regular citizen. 5. Political parties in the government coalition have issued statements in favor of extending presidential terms. 6. It is the Friend of the Court’s submission that the government, through a number of its representatives has erred in campaigning with the public to petition for something that is explicitly prohibited by the Constitution, and may be sued. 7. The number of Presidential Terms may not be changed as per Sections 101 and 193 of the Rwandan Constitution. The reading of its Section 193 indicates that the only modification possible, inter alia, through referendum is of the ‘term’ – as opposed to the ‘terms’ of the President of the Republic. In other words, a referendum may be organized to shorten or extend the years of a term, as opposed to increasing or decreasing the number of terms that a President of the Republic is allowed to stand. Arguments 8. ‘We the People of Rwanda’ in the preamble of the Constitution does not refer solely to the current public opinion, but to the Rwandan people; past, present and future, whom all have a stake in our Constitution, and it is our submission that it is the role of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Rwanda to safeguard their interests. 9. A strong Constitution is immutable in principle. Opinio juris define constitutions as aspirational, foresighted monuments that serve to enlighten citizens, and, at times trump public opinion in the interest of highest common values. 10. ‘Historically, constitutionalism was a product of the age of enlightenment. It was associated with the overthrow of arbitrary power and the attempt to ensure that government functioned according to established principles and in the light of enduring values […] that no one had God-given rights to rule over others’ Albie Sachs J in Makwenyane [389] 11. ‘The Constitution is both a monument which celebrates and a memorial which commemorates [ ]’ Du Plessis (‘The South African Constitution as memory and promise’ (2000) Stellenbosch Law Review 385-394) 12. ‘We the people of Rwanda’, does not merely mean the current electorate or public opinion. The term ‘We the people’, encompasses who we are; our history, our strength and our weakness, our condition, our forefathers and descendants. By making that pledge, we put all our mind and energy together. The idea of a strong Rwandan will is realized. 13. Those who petitioned may be referred to as public opinion. The people of Rwanda include our forefathers, children, whom while have not petitioned, shall be affected by any decisions to change one of the leading principles upon which our constitution is founded. 14. The constitution versus the will of the people: The constitution also has the duty to thwart the will of the people in some instances where, driven by subjective political consideration, the people may err. 15. The question for the petition has been misleading: The question was posed as follows: ‘Would you like president Paul Kagame to continue leading Rwandans?’ Given his undeniable achievements, president Paul Kagame is understandably popular and there are no social, political or economic grounds upon which the majority of the people may feel ready to rid themselves of him. 16. The manner in which the question is posed, suggests that under the current legal dispensation the terms of the president may be extended, even waived; Our humble submission is that such action is prohibited by Section 193 of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda. 17. However, had the question been posed correctly as follows: Do we, Rwandans want the respect of our paramount constitution? Where it may not change to fit timely interests, including of incumbents? How would the answer have been then? It is our belief that the answer would have been Yes, because indeed, everyone aspires to a strong, predictable and trustworthy constitution. 18. Those who petitioned used their democratic right, and posed the question in a manner they saw fit. However, this opinion aims to bring to the fore, the other side of the story. It seeks to initiate a principled judicial dialogue, where beyond passions and public pressure, we examine the essence of the limitation of presidential terms in a retrospective, but also foresighted fashion. 19. Brought in the court of law, both parties have equality of arms. While those who petitioned to change the constitution were many in numbers, it is also the duty of the Constitution, and indeed the Supreme Court of the Republic of Rwanda, to protect minority rights and views – sometimes against majority will. 20. An opinion reached in our favor, namely, advising against the change of Section 101 of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda, shall not be undemocratic, in the sense that the Rwandan people have, in their majority, through the constitutional Referendum of the 26th May 2003, legitimized the judiciary to act, not in respect of public opinion, but on the letter of the law and their conscience. 21. In State v Makwenyane, 1995, the South African Constitutional Court took a decision, which was contrary to public opinion and ruled against the death penalty[1]. 22. Secondly, in National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality and others v The Minister of Justice and others[2], confirming a judgement by Ackermann J, decriminalising homosexuality; by repealing, inter alia, section 20A of the Sexual offences Act; included “sodomy” as an item in Schedule 1 of the same act[3] In this last judgement the court repealed existing statute, enacted by parliament and made legislation directly from the bench. 23. In both cases, the Attorney General, representing the South African Government argued the position of the public opinion, but failed to sway Judges of the Constitutional Court. The final rulings were indeed against public opinion. Many legal scholars argue that that is when ‘the Court becomes supreme’! 24. In these submissions, South African Jurisprudence will be extensively cited. The reason for privileging South African Jurisprudence is that Rwandan and South African constitutions stem from a similar historical standpoint. They are both reactions to oppression, crafted to ensure that what happened in the past never happens again. Accordingly, they are both aspirations to an open and democratic society based on principles of Justice, equality and freedom. 25. Also, like its South African Counterpart, the Rwandan government has, at times, taken decisions that were contrary to public opinion. Indeed in the aftermath of the Genocide, the Rwandan government decided to abolish the death penalty. 26. Not least, Rwanda transcended regional prejudice and prevailing social stigma locally, to refrain from criminalizing homosexuality. 27. The decisions and their timing were most unpopular. Yet, the government of the Republic of Rwanda used foresight to trump public opinion and uphold human rights values. 28. This opinion is submitted to the august court in the same vein, with the same expectations. 29. Historical facts, especially in our country, inform us that pubic opinion is fickle, subjective, swayable and, at times, shortsighted. The constitution, as a foundation of our Republic; a pillar of our Democratic system, serves to mitigate such timely agitations aiming at diverting the society from the course, as intended by the founders of our way of life, towards a government based on the rule of law and respect of institutions. 30. While our constitution is not holy writ, it is a monument, immutable in principle. A historical interpretation must occur, in the sense that ‘We’, the Rwandan people are aware of the past dents that were made to our constitution in the interest of incumbents. 31. In 1972, public opinion requested former president Grégoire Kayibanda to stand for a third term in office. 32. That such historical fact has not surfaced in the current debate, in spite of its relevance regarding the extension of presidential terms, underpins the rational of this submission. 33. The request was submitted to parliament in a fashion that is arguably quite similar to the one currently ongoing. Such past request may make no sense to the modern-day Rwandan, yet was massively popular at the time. 34. I see a pattern, in which Rwandan leaders manage to make themselves so popular, that the electorate fails to see beyond them. 35. Therefore, the Rwandan public opinion shouldn’t be trusted to make dispassionate decisions. They should be guided by an unshakable pillar of wisdom; which is their Constitution. 36. As regards the prevailing argument in the public opinion, that the makers of our constitution could not have given more weight to limiting ‘terms of the President of the Republic’, and less weight to ‘the system of democratic government based on political pluralism, or the constitutional regime established by this Constitution especially the republican form of the government or national sovereignty’ 37. It is our submission that as a constitution whose main intent was to ensure that never again should the tragedies such as the Genocide Against the Tutsi occur in our country, by putting in place measures that prevent political actions that led to its occurrence, the legislator feared prolonged rules more than the advent of a monarchy, or even possible alienation of Rwandan territory; the last two being more unlikely in their eyes. 38. In fine, we would like to close our brief with a quote from former South African Chief Justice Mahomed J, who explained constitutional supremacy in the following ringing tones: in S v Acheson 1991 2 SA 805 (Nm) 813A-C: ‘(T)he Constitution of a nation is not simply a statute which mechanically defines the structures of government and the relations between the government and the governed. It is a “mirror reflecting the national soul”, the identification of the ideals and aspirations of a nation; the articulation of the values bonding its people’. He pursues in S v Makwanyane 1995 3 SA 391 (CC) para 262 Mahomed J referred to a supreme constitution ‘All constitutions seek to articulate, with differing degrees of intensity and detail, the shared aspirations of a nation; the values which bind its people, […] the constitutional limits and the conditions upon which that power is to be exercised; the national ethos which defines and regulates that ethos; and the moral and ethical direction which that nation has identified for its future. In some countries, the Constitution only formalises, in a legal instrument, a historical consensus of values and aspirations evolved incrementally from a stable and unbroken past to accommodate the needs of the future [The constitution] is a vigorous identification of and commitment to a democratic, universalistic, caring and aspirationally egalitarian ethos, expressly articulated in the Constitution.’ CONCLUSION: The Centre for Human Rights Rwanda prays to the Supreme Court of the Republic of Rwanda to uphold the submissions of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda; To advise Rwandans in general, Political Parties and the Rwanda Parliament in particular on the illegality of their petitions and resolutions regarding the change of the Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda. Alternatively, to offer a legal opinion on the legality or none thereof of the modification Art. 101 and possible extension of Terms of the President of the Republic. So may please the Court. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED By: Me. Gatete Thierry Kevin LLB Law, LLM Human Rights and Democratisation for Africa on behalf of Centre for Human Rights – Rwanda (CHR-R) Amicus Curiae CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE AND SERVICE Persuant to Art 16 and 17 of the LAW N°21/2012 OF 14/06/2012 RELATING TO THE CIVIL, COMMERCIAL, LABOUR ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE, the undersigned hereby certifies that Amicus Curiae Brief served to all parties, namely: The State and the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda in print version and via Electronic mail, to the physical and electronic addresses of the State, represented by the Attorney General; and the Democratic Green Party, represented by its President and its Counsel. The Registrar in Chief of the Supreme Court has been copied in the above-mentioned mails [1]in the Constitutional Court of South Africa The State v. T Makwanyane and M Mchunu, 1995, Case CCT/3/94 [2]in the Constitutional Court of South Africa: The National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality and The South African Human Rights Commission v The Minister of Justice and others, Case CCT 11/98 [3] Republic of South Africa: Criminal Procedure Act, 1977
Rwanda’s Supreme Court today accepted to adjourn the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda’s case against the change of the constitution to 29th July 2015, after the lawyer failed to turn up. DGPR has had challenges in getting legal representation in Court as most of the lawyers contacted gave different reasons for not taking on the case. Some cited fear, personal reasons and unanimous threats, as reasons preventing them to take on the case. It was equally shocking this morning when the lawyer who had spent several weeks with the dossier also failed to turn up. This led to the prosecution demanding punishments for the party and the lawyer. Party Representatives, requested for more time in order to find more lawyers and if necessary from the neighboring countries. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda had filed a lawsuit to the Supreme Court on 3rd of June 2015, demanding the Court to Block Parliament from any future plans of changing the constitution, specifically, regarding the lifting of presidential term limits from the Constitution. Article 101 of the constitution stipulates that: ‘The President of the Republic is elected for a term of seven years renewable only once. Under no circumstances shall a person hold the office of President of Republic for more than two terms’. DGPR strongly believes that Article 193, concerning amendments to the Constitution, does not allow the change of term limits from the stated two (2) to any other number. The Article only allows a reduction or an increase on the lengths of the term of office, which in this case is seven (7) years. This can be reduced to either five or be increased from seven to any other number for example eight (8). Article, 193, clearly states that, ‘ …if the constitutional amendment concerns the term of the President of the Republic…., the amendment must be passed by referendum….’ This article, clarifies that, the concerned term of office for the President, is the one of seven years and not any other thing else. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda demanded the Supreme Court: To order the Rwandan Parliament not to change Article 101 of the Constitution; To confirm that no referendum is required for those wishing to remove term limits from the Constitution; To confirm that Article 193 does not allow the amendment of Article 101 regarding the number of terms of office of the President of the Republic of Rwanda; To confirm that Article 101 is Intangible (ntayegayezwa) and cannot be changed by a referendum; To confirm that, the term of office of the President, mentioned in Article 193, does not concern the number of times, a President can be elected for but the lengths of the term of office of the President, which is currently 7 years and can be reduced to five years or increased to 8 years; To provide in-depths interpretation of Article 101 and 193 of the Constitution of the Republic of 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 8th July 2015 Dr.Frank Habineza President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda has today, the 3rd of June 2015, filed a lawsuit to the Supreme Court, demanding the Court to Block Parliament from any future plans of changing the constitution, specifically, regarding the lifting of presidential term limits from the Constitution. Article 101 of the constitution stipulates that: ‘The President of the Republic is elected for a term of seven years renewable only once. Under no circumstances shall a person hold the office of President of Republic for more than two terms’. DGPR strongly believes that Article 193, concerning amendments to the Constitution, does not allow the change of term limits from the stated two (2) to any other number. The Article only allows a reduction or an increase on the lengths of the term of office, which in this case is seven (7) years. This can be reduced to either five or be increased from seven to any other number for example eight (8). Article, 193, clearly states that, ‘ …if the constitutional amendment concerns the term of the President of the Republic…., the amendment must be passed by referendum….’ This article, clarifies that, the concerned term of office for the President, is the one of seven years and not any other thing else. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda demands the Supreme Court: To order the Rwandan Parliament not to change Article 101 of the Constitution; To confirm that no referendum is required for those wishing to remove term limits from the Constitution; To confirm that Article 193 does not allow the amendment of Article 101 regarding the number of terms of office of the President of the Republic of Rwanda; To confirm that Article 101 is Intangible (ntayegayezwa) and cannot be changed by a referendum; To confirm that, the term of office of the President, mentioned in Article 193, does not concern the number of times, a President can be elected for but the lengths of the term of office of the President, which is currently 7 years and can be reduced to five years or increased to 8 years; To provide in-depths interpretation of Article 101 and 193 of the Constitution of the Republic of 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 3rd June 2015 Dr.Frank Habineza President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
Mu kiganiro mpaka cyitwa Isesenguramakuru cyatambutse kuri Radio Rwanda kuwa Gatandatu tariki ya 23/05/2015 no ku Cyumweru tariki ya 24/05/2015, Dr Frank Habineza yakomeje gushimangira ihame ry’uko Itegekjo Nshinga rya Repubulika y’u Rwanda ritagomba guhinduka hagamijwe ko umuntu umwe rukumbi ahora ku butegetsi.. Umunyamategeko Maitre Evode Uwizeyimana we yatangaga ingingo zinyuranye n’ibisobanuro bituma ashimangira ko iri tegeko rigomba guhinduka mu nyungu z’Abanyarwanda zigendeye ku mahitamo yabo. Dr Frank Habineza we yavugaga ko n’iyo byaba ngombwa ko rihindurwa cyane cyane kuri iriya ngingo ya 101 igena manda za Perezida wa Repubulika, icyo gihe bo nk’Ishyaka Riharanira Demokarasi no Kurengera Ibidukikije ahubwo basaba ko manda y’imyaka irindwi igabanywa igashyirwa ku myaka ine cyangwa itanu, ikaba yavugururwa inshuro imwe gusa. Dr Frank Habineza yibukije kandi ko Ishyaka akuriye ryiteguye gutanga abakandida mu matora yose ateganyijwe imbere aha, ay’Abadepite, ay’Abasenateri n’ay’Umukuru w’igihugu. Ikiganiro cyamaze amasaha abiri cyarimo impaka zikomeye n’ibitekerezo by’abaturage, cyanitabiriwe na Hon.Mukama Abbas wo mu Ishyaka PDI avuga ko igikwiye guhabwa agaciro ari ubusabe bw’abaturage kuko itegeko nshinga ari iryabo. Source: http://www.ireme.org/?p=4852 Audio/Mwakwunva Ikiganiro kuri: http://www.ireme.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Dr-Frank-vs-Me-Evode-Isesenguramakuru-hosted-by-Barore-Buhura-23-05-2015-.mp3 Nta kibazo dufitanye na Kagame, ikibazo tugifitanye n’amategeko-Dr.Frank Habineza Mu kiganiro kimaze gutambuka kuri radio y’igihugu, umuyobozi w’ishyaka Green Party, Dr. Frank Habineza yasobanuye imwe mu mpamvu ituma atavuga rumwe n’abifuza ko itegeko nshinga rihinduka ari uko hageze ngo U Rwanda ruhererekanye ubutegetsi mu mahoro, aho asobanura ko kuva ku ngomba ya Rudahigwa kugeza ku ngoma ya Habyarimana bose bavuyeho nabi bishwe kandi binasigira ibibazo abanyarwanda, yanongereyeho ko nta kibazo bafitanye n’umukuru w’igihugu ko amategeko ariyo bareba cyane. Ni mu gihe ariko Mukama Abbas wo mu ishyaka PDI avuga ko igikwiye guhabwa agaciro ari ubusabe bw’abaturage kuko itegeko nshinga ari iryabo Muri iyi minsi abanyarwanda mu byiciro bitandukanye, abibumbiye mu matsinda ndetse na bamwe ku giti cyabo hiyongereyeho amashyaka amwe n’amwe yemewe kandi akorera mu gihugu, bari kujyana inyandiko n’amabaruwa bisaba inteko ishinga amategeko guhindura itegeko nshinga mu ngingo yaryo y’101, kubera impamvu zitari nke batanga zirimo kuvuga ko guhindura iyi ngingo bizaha amahirwe Perezida Kagame Pawulo, uyobora u Rwanda kuri ubu. Abasaba kudahindura iri tegeko rikuru ry’igihugu ntabwo bagaragara cyane uretse Ishyaka Riharanira Demokarasi no Kurengera Ibidukikije rizwi cyane nka Green Party riherutse kujyana inyandiko yaryo mu nteko ishinga amategeko. Iri shyaka ritanga impamvu zitandukanye ariko nk’uko umuyobozi waryo yakomeje kubigarukaho mu kiganiro cyatambukaga kuri radio y’igihugu, Dogiteri Frank Habineza yavuze ko amategeko akwiye kubahwa. Muri iki kiganiro cyaranzwe no kutavuga rumwe cyane ku bari ku ruhande rwo guhindura itegeko nshinga no kutarihindura. Umunyamategeko Evode Uwizeyimana nawe wari muri iki kiganiro yavuze ko abadashaka ko itegeko rihinduka cyane cyane mu ngingo yaryo y’101 ari ukwirengagiza indi ngingo y’193 ihereza abaturage uburenganzira bwabo mu gusaba ko uwo bizeye yakomeza akayobora igihugu. Me. Evode Uwizeyimana, yagize ati” icyo muvuga cyo guhererekanya ubutegetsi ntibivuze ngo vaho nanjye ngeho…kubera ko ibintu nk’ibyo bishobora no kubangamira ubusabe no gushaka kw’abaturage” yakomeje avuga ko demokarasi nk’izo zo guhererekanya zaje mu ndege, ibintu Dr. Frank Habineza yahakanye yivuye inyuma aho yemeje ko demokarasi ya mbere yahereye muri afurika. Mukama Abbas, umudepite akaba n’umuyobozi w’ishayaka PDI, rizwiho kuba ryaranaranzwe no gushyigikira umukandida waturukaga murindi shyaka, yavuze ko Frank adakwiye kwirengagiza ingingo zimwe na zimwe . yakomeje avuga ko ingingo zose zikwiye kwitabwaho kandi hatabangamiwe abaturage. Yagize ati:” iyo abaturage basaba ikintu wowe ukacyanga witwaje amategeko uba uri umudemokarate?” aha bagenzi be b’abatumirwa bahise bamusubiriza bati “waba uri umunyagitugu” Kuva ku butegetsi kwa Perezida Kagame, muri 2017 ngo byaba ari ibintu byiza cyane kuko nk’umuyobozi wahagaritse jenoside agakora ibikorwa by’iterambere, abaturage bose bakaba bamushima, akwiye no gutanga urugero rwiza mu gutanga ubutegetsi n’abandi bagashyiraho akabo. Frank yagize ati:” Perezida wacu aramutse atanze ubutegetsi yaba abaye Mandela, ahubwo yaba anamukubye incuro ijana mu gutanga urugero rwiza”. Uyu muyobozi w’iri shyaka yanavuze ko we n’abarwanashyaka be nta kibazo bafitanye na Kagame ahubwo ko ikibazo bagifitanye n’amategeko. Ishyaka Green Party, rikomeje gusaba ko naryo ibitekerezo byaryo byahabwa agaciro kandi ko ritazabura gutanga umukandida waryo mu matora kuko naryo rishaka gukomeza kugeza ibyiza ku banyarwanda. Dr. Frank yasoje anavuga ko yababajwe no kuba inteko ishinga amategeko itarabakiriye nk’uko yakira abandi banyarwanda bazana amabaruwa kubera ko bo ibaruwa yabo bayishyize kuri reception (aho bakirira abantu bose), ku buryo batanizeye ko ubusabe bwabo bwakiriwe; impungenge depite Mukama yahise amumara avuga ko mubyo bagiye kwigaho mu kwezi gutaha kwa Kamena, icyifuzo cyabo nacyo kirimo. Source: http://imirasire.com/amakuru-yose/amakuru-mashya/mu-rwanda/article/nta-kibazo-dufitanye-na-kagame-ikibazo-tugifitanye-n-amategeko-dr-frank-habineza
Au moment où l’on assiste à des remous politiques en Afrique suite à des révolutions et à des élections dont des fois les résultats ne font pas l’unanimité de la population, les politologues et les politiciens se prononcent sur le type de pouvoir qui éviterait le désordre dans la société. Le président du Democratic Party of Rwanda, le Parti des Verts, M. Frank Habineza, parle sans gueule de bois de la conception de son parti sur le projet de société et l’alternance politique qui assurent la paix durable dans chaque pays. Interview Exclusive par La Nouvelle Releve: Il revient dans un entretien sur le respect de la constitution… La Nouvelle Relève (LNR): Actuellement en Afrique on assiste à des mouvements de contestation comme on le voit au Burundi, comme il en fut au Burkina Faso et ailleurs. En tant que politicien puisque vous êtes président du parti, vous avez une explication spéciale sur ces différentes situations. Frank Habineza (FH) : Chez nous, dans notre parti des verts du Rwanda, nous sommes pour le respect de la constitution. Chaque pays dispose d’une constitution et c’est quand il ya le tripatouillage de la constitution que l’autorité suprême du pays est en désaccord avec la population car celle-ci n’a plus de confiance en ses dirigeants. Elle opte ainsi pour la voie de la rue. Des exemples comme l’Uganda, le Zimbabwe, le Cameroun, le Soudan ont des constitutions qui ne limitent pas les mandats du président. Au Gabon, en Zambie comme au Togo lors des élections présidentielles, le candidat qui obtient beaucoup de voix est élu président sans devoir atteindre la barre de 50%. C’est leur constitution. Mais si c’est dans une République, le pouvoir ne doit pas se transmettre de père en fils car c’est contraire aux valeurs républicaines. Mais il est des fois où ces constitutions sont violées et il ya des mouvements populaires. Au Burkina Faso, il ya eu la contestation populaire à cause de la volonté de changer la constitution et cela s’est produit quand je venais d’assister à une rencontre à Ouagadougou. Au Burundi voisin, la paix est perturbée à cause d’un seul mandat. Au Soudan le président Omar Béchir est élu à plus de 90% et ne peut pas lâcher à cause des poursuites judiciaires… Il faut respecter tous les articles de la constitution pour assurer la paix et la sécurité durable au pays. LNR : Les mouvements de contestation, le tripatouillage des élections et le non respect de la constitution donneraient raison à ceux qui disent que les Africains ne peuvent pas se diriger démocratiquement et qu’il faut leur donner la leçon de la démocratie. FH : Cela est faut. Je l’explique : celui ou celle qui dit que l’Afrique ne peut ne pas se diriger démocratiquement le fait sciemment comme celui qui a dit que l’Afrique n’est pas encore entrée dans l’histoire. La démocratie n’est pas occidentale car avant le contact avec l’Occident, il ya eu des Etats en Afrique qui avaient des structures démocratiques. Il faut rentrer dans l’histoire pour savoir qu’il ya eu des royaumes de Nubie, d’Axoum pour remarquer que l’Afrique a été le berceau de la civilisation de la science et il ne faut pas lui renier le berceau des institutions démocratiques. LNR : Etes-vous démocrates dans votre parti ? FH : Parlant de la démocratisation des partis politiques, nous devons savoir qu’il existe une constitution qu’il faut respecter. En plus de cela, il ya la loi sur les partis et le règlement d’ordre intérieur. Avec le respect de la loi, on évite des erreurs qui risquent de nous attirer les ennuis de la population. LNR : Que pensez-vous des difficultés de l’alternance pacifique en Afrique. FH: Le fait de s’accrocher au pouvoir relève de l’égoïsme, du népotisme et de l’exclusion des autres. La politique est un service à la population et l’on ne peut pas garder pour soi le service à la population. J’ai dit que le pouvoir relève de la volonte du peuple, il faut savoir partir quand il le faut . Quand on s’accroche on crée des problèmes. LNR : Les pays occidentaux conditionnent l’aide au développement à une démocratie dans les pays africains. Que pensez-vous de cette forme de coopération bilatérale? FH : Normalement la coopération doit se faire dans le respect réciproque. Je comprends mal comment un pays doit dicter un autre la voie à suivre. Mais pour éviter qu’il y ait une immiscions étrangère dans les affaires internes d’un pays, il faut respecter la constitution, sinon il ya toujours la pression internationale. LNR : Votre mot de la fin ? FH: Notre parti Democratic Green Democratic Parti of Rwanda est membre du Forum des Formations politiques au Rwanda. Concernant le débat actuel pour une modification de la constitution afin de permettre au président du Rwanda de briguer un troisième mandat, on est pour le statu quo actuel. Le président est de notre côté, il ne faut ne pas modifier la constitution. Source: http://lanouvellereleve.co.rw/chez-nous-nous-sommes-pour-le-respect-de-la-constitution-frank-habineza/ Des propos recueillis par Pascal Niyonsaba
Kigali, 18 Mai (ARI) Le Parti Démocratique Vert du Rwanda connu sous le nom de Green Party a déposé au Parlement rwandais sa pétition contre l amendement de la constitution rwandaise qui limite les mandats présidentiels à deux. Green Party indique dans un communiqué qu’il «ne soutient aucun changement dans la constitution en ce qui concerne la levée de la limitation des mandats présidentiels ». Au contraire, le parti exige que la durée de sept ans soit réduite à quatre ou cinq ans et que la limite de deux mandats soit maintenue . L actuelle Constitution rwandaise, adoptée en 2003, limite à deux le nombre de mandats présidentiels et interdit donc au Président Kagame, élu en 2003 et 2010, de se présenter une troisième fois. Alors que la question d’un troisième mandat provoque une levée de boucliers au Burundi voisin, les partis proches du pouvoir et leurs organisations satellites réclament un référendum pour modifier la Constitution et permettre au Président Kagame de briguer un nouveau mandat de sept ans. Les partisans du Chef de l’Etat actuel collectent de signatures dans tous les coins et recoins du pays et mobilisent la population rwandaise en faveur de ce référendum dans un pays où le Président Kagame incarne le pouvoir depuis 1994. Il était Vice-président de la République, avant d’être élu le 17 avril 2000 par l’ANT (Assemblée Nationale de Transition) Président de la République après la démission de Pasteur Bizimungu. Deux millions de signatures seraient déjà parvenues au bureau du parlement. Un étudiant du KIST (Kigali Institut of Sciences and technologies) nous a livré son sentiment après avoir donné ses coordonnés dont le numéro de sa carte d’identité et apposé sa signature sur une pétition qui circulait dans son université avec l’aval des autorités académiques. «Je l’ai fait pour ne pas être chômeur à vie. Ici au Rwanda où le parti au pouvoir contrôle les secteurs publics et privés, tu peux manquer du travail à la fin de tes études », a confié à ARI cet étudiant qui affirme que beaucoup de gens le font pour ne pas être traité d’opposants au système en place. Cette campagne qui ne dit pas son nom pour un troisième mandant du Président Kagame a lieu à sens unique. Seul Green Party s’y oppose. La limitation du nombre de mandats permet le transfert pacifique du pouvoir et d éviter le scénario d un président à vie , selon Frank Habineza, président de Green Party. Mais la voix de ce parti récemment agréé porte peu dans un pays sans véritable opposition. L’opposition rwandaise compte une douzaine de partis, cantonnés en exil, au motif que l’espace politique n’est pas suffisamment ouvert au Rwanda. Les partis de l’intérieur ne relèvent pas vraiment de l’opposition. A part Green Party qui se revendique ouvertement de l’opposition, les autres partis avaient soutenu le candidat du pouvoir aux présidentielles de 2003. Ce qui en font des partis de contribution que d’opposition. Green Party se prépare pour les élections locales de 2016 et les élections présidentielles de 2017. Il n’a pas pu présenter des candidats aux législatives de Septembre 2013, car la date limite pour le dépôt des listes avait été fixée au 12 Août 2013. Le timing avait été très court pour ce parti enregistré le 08 Août 2013. Green Party a été fondé en 2009 par Frank Habineza en Août 2009 pour constituer une opposition démocratique et écologiste au Front Patriotique Rwandais, le parti au pouvoir. La plupart des membres fondateurs de Green Party sont des dissidents qui avaient quitté le FPR. Ils ont dû attendre quatre ans pour avoir l’autorisation officielle de fonctionner. (Fin). ARI-RNA/ Pol./18.05.15/14 : 38 GMT/ Source: Agence Rwandais d Information ( http://www.rnanews.com/politics/10226-2015-05-18-15-10-47)
Kuwa 13 Gicurasi, Ishyaka Riharanira Demokarasi no Kurengera Ibidukikije (Democratic Green Party Rwanda) ryashyikirije urwandiko Inteko Ishinga Amategeko y’u Rwanda rivuga ko ridashyigikiye ko itegeko nshinga rihinduka. Dr Frank Habineza, umuyobozi w’Ishyaka riharanira Demokarasi no kurengera ibidukikije ari kumwe n’abamwungirije babiri nibwo bagejeje ibaruwa ku Nteko Ishinga Amategeko igaragaza ko badashyigikiye ihindurwa ry’itegeko nsinganga. Frank Habineza yavuze ko impamvu bateguye gushyikiriza inteko uru rwandiko rugaragaza aho bahagaze byatewe n’uko muri iyi minsi abashyigikiye ko itegeko nshinga rihinduka bamaze kuba benshi. Ibaruwa Green Party yashyikirije Inteko Ishinga Amategeko Yagize ati “Twaravuze ngo niba Inteko niba igiye kubiganira, ni ngombwa ko imenya ko hatari bariya bonyine bifuza ko rihinduka ariko hari n’abandi banyarwanda batifuza ko rihinduka. Twebwe duhagarariye Abanyarwanda bose batifuza ko itegeko nshinga rihinduka. Kandi bamenye ko nibakora na referendum hari Abanyarwanda batazatora ko rihindika, hanyuma Demokarasi abe ariyo ihitamo abazatsinda.” Mu kiganiro yahaye Radio 10, Dr Habineza yavuze ko kuba badashaka ko Itegeko Nshinga rihinduka ngo Perezida Kagame akomeze kuyobora bitavuze ko banga Perezida Kagame. Ati “Oya, hari ibyiza Perezida Kagame yakoze turabishima,… ariko umuntu iyo ateruye ikivi agira aho agisoreza…Kandi nawe ejobundi yarabyivugiye ko adashyigikiye ko Itegeko Nshinga rihinduka,…twebwe Ishyaka riharanira Demokarasi no kurengere ibidukikije twiteguye kuyobora kino gihugu.” Green Party kandi isanga umuyobozi w’igihugu atakagombye kurenza manda ebyiri, ndetse ngo ibona n’imyaka irindwi kuri manda imwe ari myinshi, bagasaba ko igabanuka ikaba imyaka byibura imyaka ine cyangwa itanu nk’uko tubikesha urubuga rw’iri shyaka. Abayobozi ba Green Party basohotse mu nteko Urwandiko Green Party rwakiriwe n’abakozi bakora mu bunyamabanga rusange bw’Inteko Ishinga Amategeko kuko Perezidante w’Inteko atabonetse. Batitaye ko nyir’ubwite Paul Kagame yivugiye ko atifuza ko itegeko nshinga rihinduka, hirya no hino mu gihugu, abaturage bakomeje gukusanya inyandiko zisaba ko itegeko nshinga, by’umwihariko ingingo y’101 iteganya ko Perezida atarenza manda ebyiri rihinduka. Mu cyumweru gishize, Inteko Ishinga Amategeko yatangaje ko imaze kwakira mu nyandiko ubusabe bw’abaturage basaga Miliyoni ebyiri. Source: Imirasire.com http://imirasire.com/amakuru-yose/amakuru-mashya/mu-rwanda/article/ishyaka-green-party-ryashyikirije-inteko-ishinga-amategeko-ibaruwa-isaba-ko-itegeko-nshinga-ritahindurwa
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda has today, the 13th of May 2015, submitted its petition to the Rwandan Parliament, against the proposed amendment of lifting the presidential term limits from the Constitution. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, during its political Bureau meeting held on 22nd November 2014, confirmed that the party does not support any change in the constitution regarding the lifting of presidential term limits. On the contrary, the party demands that the seven years term period be reduced to either four or five years and that the two term limits be maintained. 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 as it ensures sustainable peace, democratic culture, rule of law and development. It also helps to maintain the good achievements recorded after the 1994 Tutsi genocide. 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 Organizations in Rwanda on 3rd April 2014. DGPR’s Status were published in the official gazette of the Republic of Rwanda on 4th August 2014. The Official letter to the Speaker of Parliament is attached. Done at Kigali on 13th May 2015 Dr.Frank Habineza President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
