Friends of Rwandan Greens (FoRG) call upon the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, Australia, to prevail on the Government of Rwanda and ensure that democracy and human rights are upheld and end the political impasse in the country. Rwanda was permitted to join the Commonwealth in 2009 despite serious concerns being expressed by the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, said Frank Habineza, President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, speaking from Sweden. The concern that Rwanda would not be able to meet the Commonwealth principles was supported by the Commonwealth Green Parties and Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative. These concerns have now been further validated by reports made by the Human Rights Watch, the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, Amnesty International and also the Commonwealth Observer Group from the 2010 Presidential election. We encouraged the Commonwealth to scrutinise Rwanda s human rights record and at least wait to see if the August 2010 Presidential elections would be free and fair before allowing Rwanda s entry, said Mr Habineza. The Commonwealth did not wait, Rwanda was accepted and now there is not a single registered opposition party or independent media house in the country. In 2009, the then Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Stephen Smith MP, assured Australian Greens leader Bob Brown that Australia supported Rwanda s Commonwealth membership aspirations because the Commonwealth will do the country a service by helping to entrench the rule of law and support the Rwandan Government s efforts towards democracy and economic growth . The Australian Foreign Minister, Kevin Rudd MP, must keep the word of his predecessor and ensure that the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group ensures Rwanda upholds fundamental Commonwealth values and deal with violations. The Commonwealth must acknowledge the responsibility that they have assumed for accepting the entry of Rwanda. The international community has a critical role to play in supporting Rwanda to realise its full democratic potential and the Commonwealth owes it to Rwanda to not let the horrors of 1994 to reoccur, said Amy Tyler, Spokesperson, Friends of Rwandan Greens. Rwanda s democracy is struggling. The Freedom House rates the country as not free with a downward trend in political rights and civil liberties. The international community has a critical role to play in Rwanda because, as the Freedom House explains, the trending decline in freedoms coincides with a growing inability or unwillingness on the part of the world s democracies to meet the authoritarian challenge , Amy Tyler said. Western Australia Greens Senator Scott Ludlam said CHOGM should provide an opportunity to focus on human rights violations within the Commonwealth, not only in Rwanda, it is an opportunity the host country, Australia, cannot throw away. For CHOGM to be relevant, for the Commonwealth itself to mean anything, it must have strong, enforceable human rights standards . The Rwandan Government is not the only one in the Commonwealth that needs to be held to account, and the Australian Greens will continue to push for the Commonwealth to take a decisive stand on human rights, Senator Ludlam said. The Commonwealth must heed these concerns at CHOGM in Perth 2011 and consider how to ensure Rwanda is not another Zimbabwe and is able to meet their commitment to the Commonwealth principles enshrined in the Harare Declaration. Friends of Rwandan Greens, call upon the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting and the Commonwealth Secretariat to : • Speak out openly against human rights abuses, political oppression and media censorship in Rwanda ; • Use bi-lateral and international Aid to enforce democracy and rule of law in Rwanda ; • Ensure the release of all political prisoners and jailed journalists ; and • Resolve the mystery of the murder of the Green Party Vice President, Andre Kagwa Rwisereka. For more information, please contact : Amy Tyler, Spokesperson for Friends of the Rwandan Greens (FoRG) Tel : +61 400 550 140, Email : 22tyler@gmail.com
Frank Habineza s Acceptance Speech : African leader in Innovation Sustainability Award from Pilot International Representative of the Office of President Republic of Uganda, Representative Office of Vice President, Republic of Gambia, Hon. Ministers, Hon. Presidential Advisors, Excellences, President and CEO Pilot International, Members of the Award Committee, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen First of all, I wish to recognize all the people to whom an especial reference is due and that is all of you dear ladies and gentlemen gathered tonight. I am humbled and honoured to receive the award of African Leader in Innovation and Sustainability . I accept this award on behalf of all the African Greens and more especially the Rwandan Green Democrats. I would also like to take on this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to, Mr.Charles Lwanga Bbaale, President, Ecological Party of Uganda for having nominated me for this prize. Special thanks also go to Pilot International Award Committee. The African Greens Federation is a peaceful movement which is moving with determination in risk and danger to establish a green and democratic society in Africa using non-violence. This award which I receive on behalf of that movement is a profound recognition that nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral question of our time the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to violence and oppression. The process to establish a continental federation of all African Green Parties and political movements has not been any easier. There were a lot of stumbling blocks on the way : language barriers, un-democratic regimes, long distances, and so on. We were very encouraged by our green brothers in Tunisia, who had to struggle for five years to get party registration. This was only possible one week after the January 2011 Tunisian revolution. We are very grateful to the Government and people of Uganda for having enabled us establish the African Greens Federation in April 2010. This was during the African Greens Congress, held in Bwebajya, Kampala, Uganda. This would not have been possible if the Government of Uganda had not officially registered the Ecological Party of Uganda, and to that we would like to register our sincere gratitude. That African Greens Congress had originally been planned to be held in Kigali, Rwanda, but it was not possible because the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, had tried several times to get registered but was un- successful and one of its founding congresses, like that of 30th October 2009, was sabotaged violently and thereafter denied permission to convene once again. The worst happened on 14th July 2010, when it s Vice President ; Andre Kagwa RWISEREKA was found decapitated. The journey is still very long, but we are determined to continue the struggle for democracy. We reject revenge, aggression and retaliation. We must find a way to live together in peace. This Prize gives us more energy to prepare for the upcoming third Global Greens Congress, which will be held for the first time in Africa. It will be hosted in Dakar, Senegal in March-April 2012. I would like to request the CEO of Pilot International to convey to this respected gathering, my solemn and heartfelt thanks for this unique distinction, which will always be proudly remembered by all African Greens. Thank you so much and God bless you all. Frank Habineza President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and African Greens Federation
Pilot International, A Global Private-sector driven organization based in Uganda, whose purpose is to promote global sustainable development for the benefit of humanity and the Planet, has announced 3 Global icons in innovation and sustainability as the winners of the 2011 Global Pilot Awards. Frank Habineza, the President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and President of the African Greens Federation emerged as the winner of the African leader in Innovation Sustainability Award . This is in recognition of his tireless efforts to organize and lead a process that led to the official launching of the African Greens Federation, during the African Greens Congress held in April 2010, Kampala-Uganda and to strengthen cooperation between African Greens, by conducting exchange visits to West and North Africa. As a true Pan Africanist in the green revolution, he was behind the revival of the Central African Greens network, which reinforced green activities in Chad, Central Africa Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola and Gabon. In his home country, Rwanda, he was part of a climate change campaign organized by Rwanda Green Society that planted 50,000 trees. The 2011 Global Pilot Award winners, will have their awards bestowed upon them by the Office of the President -Republic of Uganda, during an awards ceremony, on the evening of 27 August 2011 at Fairway Hotel Kampala. The award ceremony will follow the closure of the Innovation and sustainability Conference Expo 24-27 August 2011 Kampala Uganda. More details on the 2011 Global Pilot Award winners are available at : http://www.pilotinternationalconfer
On the occasion of the second anniversary of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, a global network of concerned citizens launches Friends of Rwandan Greens (FoRG) in Australia. FoRG is aimed at supporting democracy in Rwanda and the right of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda to campaign as an opposition party without fear of violence or repression. FoRG has been launched on 15th August 2011, also in time to participate in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth, Australia. The Australian Spokesperson for Friends of the Rwandan Greens, Amy Tyler, explains that whilst many of the members of FoRG share no history or common language with Rwanda, they have united under the Commonwealth values of democracy, freedom, peace, the rule of law and opportunity for all. FoRG was established after I spoke with the President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, Frank Habineza and learnt of the difficulties his party was having in participating democratically in Rwanda, Ms Tyler said. We decided to establish a Facebook and Twitter site so as to provide a measure of global oversight on the Rwandan situation. As can be seen by the Arab Spring democratic uprisings, social mediums like Facebook are increasingly being used as global tools to strengthen democracy Ms Tyler said. Facebook and Twitter are not just online forums to chat with friends. They also provide rapid unfiltered information, document abuses and connect members from all over the world in fights for social and political justice. FoRG will provide up to date information about the Rwandan Greens as well as remind the Rwandan government that there are people all over the world watching and documenting their actions. This year, FoRG is a focusing their attention on ensuring that the Commonwealth steps up the plate and ensures that political and democratic rights are upheld in their member states, such as Rwanda. Despite suspicions of human rights abuses, Rwanda was allowed to join the Commonwealth Nations in 2009. Since then, however, we have seen no progress in Rwanda for political freedom, and in fact things have probably got worse for those struggling for political freedoms in Rwanda, said Ms Tyler. The Commonwealth has roots as far back as the 1870s and one of its core principles is to strengthen civil society to build stronger democratic institutions and procedures. Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Bob Brown is supportive of Friends of the Rwandan Greens taking action through the forum offered by the Commonwealth Nations. I have been concerned about political freedom in Rwanda for several years, and in 2009 I raised this issue in the Australian Senate before the admission of Rwanda to the Commonwealth. This was when there was an opportunity to review Rwanda s record on human rights according to the standards agreed to by the Commonwealth s 1991 Harare Declaration. The Australian Government should have insisted upon this before supporting Rwanda s Commonwealth membership. I and the Greens will continue to work for this worthy cause, Senator Brown said. Grass-root social organisations like Friends of Rwandan Greens need to take action because our governments are failing to fulfil their duty to the Commonwealth principles. Friends of Rwandan Greens are calling on the Australian and other Commonwealth governments to use the forum of the Commonwealth Nations, to take constructive action and investigate these crimes so as to ensure the political freedom of opposition parties in Rwanda and the next parliamentary elections in 2013 to be free, fair and democratic. said Ms Tyler. Our second anniversary has been a time of reflection and encouragement. The past two years have been very hard, we remember our founding congress of 30th October 2009, which was sabotaged violently and thereafter denied permission to convene again, we remember our First Vice President, Andre Kagwa RWISEREKA (RIP), who was decapitated on 14th July 2010-a few days to the August 9th presidential elections, we remember all the difficulties that our members have had to endure : those who have been imprisoned and those who had to go out of the country. We are determined to move on and will participate in the 2013 parliamentary elections. Democracy will finally take base in Rwanda. Keep strong my people, never lose hope, we shall overcome. We warmly welcome the launch of Friends of Rwandan Greens. Frank Habineza said. BRIEF BACKGROUND The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda was launched on 14 August 2009. However, the government made it impossible for them to register for the 2010 elections and they were unable to run for government. Then, on the 14 July 2010, their first Vice President, Andre Kagwa RWISEREKA was found decapitated, in a manner reminiscent of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. For further details, please contact : Amy Tyler, Spokesperson for Friends of the Rwandan Greens
One Year Later : Our Slain Vice President Andre Kagwa RWISEREKA s Killers Have Not Faced Justice. Today July 13th 2011, marks one year since our slain First Vice President Andre Kagwa RWISEREKA, went missing and his body found decapitated the next day, in Butare, Rwanda. One year later, no one has been brought to justice. The prosecution Authority stated that, it had insufficient evidence to press any charges. We call upon the Rwandan Government to expedite the investigations and bring to justice all those responsible. Memorial services will be held this week in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Canada and Rwanda. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda is anxious to see that those who perpetrated the July 13 heinous act face justice. Frank HABINEZA Founding President Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
Solidarity with the international Greens, especially the Greens in Rwanda and Africa was one of the key milestones achieved from the just concluded Swedish Green Party National Congress held in Karlstad. The Congress attended by over 1000 delegates also elected new Party Leaders (Spokespersons) : Parliamentarians : Åsa Romson (female) and Gustav Fridolin (male). We need new rules on arms exports that create transparency and prevent the use of bribes, even the weapons supporters in parliament begin to realize that arms exports to undemocratic regimes are wrong. But even arms to democracies have problems. Especially when business is mixed into a dirty game at all costs to export JAS-plane (hunting attack fighting plane). TV4 s revelations about the South Africa deal is a prime example. Sweden must allow investigation of suspected bribery in connection with this JAS-plane business in South Africa said Hon.Åsa Romson International solidarity and democracy is a main concern to us, we shall continue to support democracy in Rwanda and Africa at large , said Hon. Åsa Romson It is our sincere desire that democracy and peace prevail in Rwanda , said, Hon. Gustav Fridolin Frank Habineza, Leader of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and the African Greens Federation, spoke to the Congress and made two presentations on Africa and Rwanda. He congratulated the newly elected leaders and emphasized the need to focus much more on democracy in Rwanda as well as Africa. On behalf of the Greens in Rwanda and in Africa, I would like to request you to continue supporting democratic movements throughout the African continent and to never support dictatorship regimes in Africa , Habineza, said. He extended an invitation to the newly elected party leaders to the third Global Greens Congress, which will be held in Dakar, Senegal, March 2012. For more information, please contact : Eva Goës, Chairperson, Green Forum and Former Party Spokesperson : eva@goes.se
Frank Habineza, Founding President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, has received a Democracy Prize in Swedish Parliament, today, 28th April 2011. The Prize was awarded by Hon. Bodil Ceballos, a Swedish Parliamentarian, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and alternates on the Defence and Justice Committees. She is also a member of the Green Party of Sweden. This initiative originated from the Green Party in Gävle, led by Ms.Inger Schörling, former Member of Swedish Parliament and European Parliament. She is also the Vice Chairperson of Green Forum Sweden and particularly in charge of East Africa. The Prize is given in honor of the democratic struggle started in Rwanda and the resolve to continue it, using peaceful and non-violent means, despite all the hard challenges faced. This is a great encouragement and we highly applaud the Green Party in Gävle, Ms.Inger Schörling and Hon.Bodil Ceballos for this recognition. For more information, please contact : Ms. Inger Schörling : Email : inger.schorling@mp.se
Upholding the truth, preserving our dignity, remembering our beloved ones lost during 1994 genocide, never again should this happen to humanity Frank HABINEZA
Ms.Seraphine Mukamana, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, Coordinator for Kigali City, was found not guilty to bribery charges by Rwanda High Court after an appeal hearing on 25th March 2011. She has been serving in 1930 Kigali Maximum Prison since November 2009 after being convicted by Nyarugenge Court and sentenced for five years.
