The Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties in Rwanda-PCC, which brings together the United Democratic Forces-FDU Inkingi, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and the Social Party Imberakuri, is calling for an immediate release of Ms. Victoire INGABIRE UMUHOZA with no more conditions and the release of all other political prisoners. PERMANENT CONSULTATIVE COUNCIL OF OPPOSITION PARTIES IN RWANDA PRESS RELEASE : Rwandan Opposition Calls for an immediate release of Ms. Victoire INGABIRE UMUHOZA The Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties in Rwanda-PCC, which brings together the United Democratic Forces-FDU Inkingi, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and the Social Party Imberakuri, is calling for an immediate release of Ms. Victoire INGABIRE UMUHOZA with no more conditions and the release of all other political prisoners. Yesterday, 14th October 2010, Ms. Victoire INGABIRE UMUHOZA was arrested and incarcerated in KICUKIRO police custody on seemingly politically motivated charges of forming a terrorist organization (Coalition of Democratic Forces-CDF as an alleged military wing of FDU-Inkingi). She was imprisoned in April 2010, she was later released on bail but has since then been under extended house arrest. She has never been given a chance to be fairly confronted in a court of law. She has never been a flight risk or a threat to the community. All the three opposition parties that challenged the RPF Led Government have undergone serious and dangerous trials. The Government refused to register the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda after a whole year of risky peaceful struggle that was started on 14th August 2009. Its Vice President Andre KAGWA RWISEREKA was found beheaded on 14th July 2010. They also refused to register the United Democratic Forces-FDU Inkingi and many of its members have been imprisoned or released on bail. The Social Party Imberakuri had managed to get registered in July 2009, but was later broken up into several factions, one of them now in the Government’s Political Parties Forum. Its Founding President, Maitre Bernard NTAGANDA is in prison since 24th June 2010, he is reported to be in a very critical healthy situation at King Faycal Hospital after Kigali Central Hospital was unable to treat him. URGENT CALL FOR ACTION : • We urgently call for the immediate release of Ms. Victoire INGABIRE UMUHOZA with no further conditions. • We demand an immediate release from Prison of Mr. Bernard NTAGANDA, who was detained since 24th June 2010 and is now facing serious health conditions, which may claim his life. • We demand an immediate trial of the killers of the Late Andre KAGWA RWISEREKA (Vice President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda) and we still call for an international independent inquiry and an independent autopsy as Human Rights Watch has already requested. • We also demand an immediate release from Prison of Ms.Seraphine MUKAMANA, Green Party’s Kigali City Coordinator • We call upon the International Community, especially USA, UK, all EU Member States and all Friends of Rwanda to continue seriously engaging the Government of Rwanda to open up political space and allow democracy take root in Rwanda. Issued at Kigali, 15th October 2010 Mr. Frank HABINEZA Founding President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda Mr. Sylvain SIBOMANA Secretary General, United Democratic Forces, FDU INKINGI Mr. Theobald MUTARAMBIRWA Secretary General, PS Imberakuri
Le Conseil Consultatif Permanent des Partis de l opposition au Rwanda-PCC, qui regroupe les Forces Démocratiques Unifiéees FDU INKINGI, le Parti Démocratique Vert du Rwanda et le Parti social-Imberakuri, appellent à la libération immédiate et sans conditions de Mme Victoire INGABIRE UMUHOZA ainsi que d autres prisonniers politiques. Conseil Consultatif Permanent des Partis de l opposition au Rwanda-PCC C/O B.P.6334 Kigali,Rwanda COMMUNIQUÉ DE PRESSE : Le Conseil Consultatif Permanent des Partis de l opposition au Rwanda-PCC, qui regroupe les Forces Démocratiques Unifiéees FDU INKINGI, le Parti Démocratique Vert du Rwanda et le Parti social-Imberakuri, appellent à la libération immédiate et sans conditions de Mme Victoire INGABIRE UMUHOZA ainsi que d autres prisonniers politiques. Hier, Mme. Victoire INGABIRE UMUHOZA a été arrêtée et incarcérée en garde à vue à la brigade de KICUKIRO sous une inculpation apparemment à caractère politique de formation d une organisation terroriste (Coalition des Forces Démocratiques-CDF, présentée comme une aile militaire des FDU-INKINGI). Des allégations similaires ont été formulées lors de son arrestation en avril 2010 mais elle n a jamais eu la chance de comparaître devant un tribunal compétent sur le fond des faits allégués. Elle avait été mise en résidence surveillée pendant environ 5 mois. Personne ne l a jamais accusée de tentative de fuite, de se soustraire à la justice ou de constituer un danger pour la communauté. Tous les trois partis d opposition qui ont critiqué le gouvernement FPR ont fait face à de sérieux et graves dangers. Le gouvernement a refusé d enregistrer le Parti Démocratique Vert du Rwanda après une année entière de démarche pacifique à haut risque depuis le 14 août 2009. Son Vice-Président, le regretté André KAGWA RWISEREKA a été retrouvé la tête coupée le 14 juillet 2010. Le régime a également refusé d enregistrer les Forces Démocratiques Unifiées-FDU Inkingi tandis beaucoup de ses leaders ont été emprisonnés ou assignés en résidence surveillée. Le Parti Social-Imberakuri avait réussi à se faire enregistrer en Juillet 2009, mais s était ensuite divisée en plusieurs factions, et l une d elles siège dans le forum des partis politiques gouvernementaux. Son président fondateur, Maître Bernard Ntaganda est en prison depuis le 24 Juin 2010. Des informations crédibles confirment qu il serait dans un état critique à l hopital Roi FAYCAL car le centre hospitalier de Kigali avait été incapable de le traiter. APPEL POUR UNE ACTION URGENTE : • Nous demandons instamment la libération immédiate et sans conditions de Mme Victoire INGABIRE UMUHOZA. • Nous exigeons la libération immédiate de prison de M. Bernard Ntaganda, qui a été détenu depuis le 24 Juin 2010 et qui, aujourd hui se trouve entre la vie et la mort. • Nous demandons un procès immédiat des assassins du regretté André KAGWA RWISEREKA (vice-président du Parti Démocratique Vert du Rwanda) et nous continuons d appeler à une enquête internationale indépendante sur sa mort ainsi qu à une autopsie indépendante, comme exigée par Human Rights Watch. • Nous demandons la libération immédiate de Mme. Seraphine MUKAMANA, la coordinatrice du Parti Démocratique Vert du Rwanda dans la ville de Kigali. • Nous appelons la communauté internationale, spécialement les USA, le Royaume Uni et tous les Etats membres de l Union Européenne ainsi que des amis du Rwanda à entretenir une pression sérieuse sur le gouvernement Rwandais afin qu il ouvre l espace politique et que la démocratie s instaure au Rwanda. Fait à Kigali, le 15 Octobre 2010 M. Frank HABINEZA Président Fondateur, Parti Démocratique Vert du Rwanda M. Sylvain SIBOMANA Secrétaire Général, Forces Démocratiques Unifiées, FDU INKINGI M. Theobald Mutarambirwa Secrétaire Général, Parti social Imberakuri
Mr. President, As Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces, Head of State-sworn in to protect the Rwandan constitution, state institutions and Rwandan people, we urgently call upon you to use all your powers and accord immediate justice to many suffering Rwandans in prisons and outside prisons, and also help diffuse the growing political and military tension in the country. Mr. President, you are very much aware of all the sad events that happened to the Rwandan Opposition Parties before the presidential elections of August 2010, these sad events cannot just be wished away, they need to be addressed thoroughly, so that the nation can move ahead as a whole. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, would like to re-affirm its position that we strive for a fully democratic society in Rwanda : free of injustice, free of poverty, free of sending its sons and daughters into political exile, free from impunity, having a vibrant independent media and independent state institutions, working on the principle of sustainable development and rule of Law. We would also like to request for your attention and provide immediate justice on the following cases : 1. Urgent Investigations into the Assassination of Green Party Vice President, Andre KAGWA RWISEREKA. Mr. President, you are very much aware that our Vice President went missing on 13th July 2010 and the next day was found decapitated in Butare-Rwanda. The police arrested one Thomas Ntivuguruzwa a few days later and assumed it was a business dispute, we ruled out that assumption, actually we found that version completely misleading, a few days later we heard that the above mentioned person was released from Police custody. Our misery now is that ever since that release, we got a feeling that the investigators have adopted a posture of irresponsible passivity in the matter as we have never received any more information about these investigations. This is why we are appealing to you Mr. President to use all your powers and quicken these investigations, so that justice can be accorded and the criminals be brought to court and be punished. Then we can start having hope that such a thing will never happen again in modern Rwanda. Mr. President, we are very committed to a peaceful democratization process of our country, but in such circumstances where a political leader is assassinated and justice is delayed, it increases political tensions. Mr. President, as much as you promised Rwandans to sleep and not be bothered with insecurity threats, it is very hard for us to sleep and relax when we know that the killers of our Vice President are still out there at large waiting for the next prey to devour. Yet we know that if all security organs joined hands and started hunting down these criminals, they would not fail to arrest them and handle them over to relevant authorities, like they have done before in other cases. 2. Senior Military Officials in Detention need Immediate Justice. Mr. President, the Rwanda Defense Forces Spokesman, confirmed the arrest of General Karenzi Karake and General Charles Muhire, in April 2010 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8 ). Several months have passed and these two senior Rwandan citizens have not seen justice. We understand that the Military has its own way of doing things, but we are very concerned that they have not even appeared in any court of law and are possibly not held up in official detention facilities. Recently, we have also heard the case of Lt.Colonel RUGIGANA, whose parents have failed to trace his whereabouts in all official military detention facilities. He has also not appeared in any court of law for over a month now and some Rwandans are very concerned whether this will be the trend of events in your Second Term of Office as President of Rwanda. The Military Spokesperson has confirmed his arrest. There is also a pending case of a Congolese national, Gen. Laurent NKUNDA, who was arrested in Rwanda on 22nd January 2009, (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7846339.stm), since then he has never appeared in court, his family has expressed serious concerns, your intervention is called for. In the course of the last few months at the time of the grenade attacks, some people have been arrested and confessed to the Rwandan Police not only to have been responsible but also to have belonged to FDLR- Rebel force based in Congo. However, they have never appeared in court, though later the case of grenades became wider, it now seems to become a new culture for people to be delayed to appear in courts. Who knows, may be they could be innocent or guilty but that is the work of judiciary. The Constitution of the Republic of Rwanda, which you vowed to protect a few weeks ago, (http://www.afriqueavenir.org/en/201 ) gives these military men and all Rwandans a right to appear in court, we are hopeful that you will take this matter with utmost urgency and importance, as you always do Mr. President, since you are the Commander- in -Chief of all Armed Forces. 3. Opposition Parties Need Immediate Justice Mr. President, Opposition Parties to your ruling party-RPF, namely : the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, Parti Sociale Imberakuri (PS Imberakuri) and the United Democratic Forces (FDU Inkingi) have all faced very challenging circumstances beyond any human measure. The first opposition party, PS-imberakuri got registered in July 2009 after a long period of serious challenges ; it is now divided into two factions and its founding President Maître Bernard NTAGANDA is in prison since 24th June 2010 in all probability on politically motivated charges. Several PS Imberakuri members are also in prison, they all need justice. Mr. President, the Second opposition Party that was born last year is the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, which was launched officially on 14th August 2009, we have faced so many challenges, we were beaten-up, our people arrested, denied legal papers to have a founding congress and of recent our Vice President was assassinated-in such an alarming manner, we need fair justice and fair standards. Our coordinator for Kigali City, Ms.Seraphine MUKAMANA is suffering in Kigali Maximum prison since November 2009 on trumped up charges of bribing a police officer with 40 USD which had been asked as a fine to release her husband who had been arbitrary arrested. When she appealed her prison sentence of five years after having been denied bail. The court decided to program her hearing in 2012, by that time she will have been in prison for almost three years. Indeed Justice delayed is justice denied. We appeal to you Mr. President to intervene. She is a mother of four and was the main bread earner of the family, her children risk to become street kids. Mr. President, during your first media interview after the August Presidential elections, which is also available on (http://www.newtimes.co.rw/index.php ), you said that we failed to get the 200 signatures and did not follow the procedure to register the party. This was not the case, in our last congress of 30th October 2009 at St.Paul, we had over 1500 delegates and the one of 2nd October 2009 at CANA Conference hall, we had 900 delegates, all much above what the Law requires. We never failed to get the 200 signatures ; we fulfilled all the legal requirements but were blocked by different government officials, using different unfair mechanisms. Mr. President, we are pleased to inform you that we never fought amongst ourselves, but we were beaten and the names of the people who attacked us were given to police but they have never been arrested. Mr. President, you need to personally intervene in this situation, because you had promised on CNN’s Christiane Amanipour’s program on 17th March 2010 (http://amanpour.blogs.cnn.com/2010/ ), that you will let us participate in the elections if we fulfilled all the legal requirements, but this never happened. We never missed out on any legal requirement ; actually it’s the District of Gasabo that finally refused to respond to our last quest to have the Congress on 4rd June 2010, details about our registration struggle can be found here (http://rwandagreendemocrats.org/spi ). The Third opposition Party is United Democratic Forces –FDU Inkingi, it was functioning from exile (Netherlands) and in January 2010, its Leader Ms. Victoire INGABIRE decided to come back home and register it as a party under Rwandan Law, so that she could be able to stand in the Presidential elections. She has faced a lot of challenges. You are very familiar with her case, but she needs justice, she has been under extended house arrest since April 2010. FDU Inkingi has also tried several times to get registered but faced several stumbling blocks, many of its members are suffering in prison and they need justice. In Conclusion, all the three opposition parties were not allowed to participate in the August 2010 presidential elections, Mr. President, this is not something your party can just wish away. These are very serious concerns that you need to address as a Head of State, so that the country can be on the right track towards sustainable peace and development. There cannot be sustainable economic development without democracy ; Rwanda should not be a sample of economic development versus democracy. Democracy and human rights are not niceties as you said Mr. President on 29th May 2010, in the UK’s Independent Newspaper (http://www.independent.co.uk/news/w ). In the same Interview you also said that Rwanda is not ready for the medicine of democracy. We Rwandans are ready for democracy and we need it now. It is part and partial of our sustainable future. Without democracy the future of our country is at risk. It is the medicine we need to heal all our sickness and other problems. You have a role to play. We would like to once again appeal to you, Mr. President to release all political prisoners, independent journalists especially Ms.Agnes Nkusi Uwimana and Ms.Saidat MUKAKIBIBI, Editors of Umurabyo Newspaper, lift a ban on the Independent media and allow Newspapers critical of Government to work. All the Opposition Parties have expressed a desire to have an open and honest dialogue with you Mr. President and your ruling RPF and iron out serious issues of national importance. It is your call. Issued on 27th September 2010 Frank HABINEZA Founding President Democratic Green Party of Rwanda For immediate contact : Phone : +46737588927 Email : fhabineza@africangreens.org
Dr.Charles MURIGANDEMinister of EducationKigali, RwandaHonorable Minister,Re : Withdrawing Green Party Statement on the Rwandan Minister of EducationIn reference to your letter dated 13th September 2010, No.2498/12.00/2010, requesting the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda to withdraw its statement, issued on 11th August 2010, titled : Rwandan Minister Claims Car Accident Killed Green Party Vice President, according to ARTE Television.After re-playing the video web link on that television today and did not find that statement, we humbly regret any inconveniences this may have caused you and do hereby, withdraw our statement made on 11th August 2010, we are also removing that statement from our website and will inform every one that we had informed. We are also posting this statement on our website.As regards the Letter to the Editor in the Independent Magazine, issue 125 of August 20-26, we are not the ones who wrote it and have not been able to see it either.We regret any inconveniences and misconceptions that may have been caused on your name. Honorable Minister, please note that the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda has not accused the Rwandan Government of any involvement in the death of our first Vice President.We take on this opportunity to request the Government of Rwanda to quicken the investigations into the death of our First vice President, Andre Kagwa RWISEREKA and bring those criminals to justice as soon as possible.Yours Sincerely,Frank HABINEZAFounding PresidentDemocratic Green Party of RwandaC:C ;H.E, the President of the Republic of RwandaThe Right Honorable Prime MinisterThe Honorable Minister of Justice and Attorney GeneralThe Honorable Minister of Local Government
REPORT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OBSERVER GROUP ON RWANDA 2010 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONSEXTRACT ON OPPOSITION PARTIES THAT WERE REFUSED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ELECTIONS Other Political Parties ( from page 14-17) Ahead of the elections, a number of opposition parties had stated their intention to field their candidates in the elections, but, in the end, faced either legal or administrative issues, which resulted in their non-participation. The situation of each of these parties differs considerably and is briefly outlined below : 1. Democratic Green Party The Democratic Green Party reported to observers that they had undertaken concerted efforts with a view to registering itself as a party, with the intention of fielding its leader Mr Frank Habineza as a presidential candidate. It was unable to do so however because it did not have the necessary party documents signed, which is a pre-requisite for registration. The party further told observers that it had attempted to hold a party congress where the documents would be signed, but the meeting was disrupted by rowdy individuals, who, the party claims, were RPF supporters because they were chanting RPF slogans. The Green Party was unsuccessful in holding a subsequent meeting because it was denied permission by local authorities on the basis that it required a police clearance to hold the meeting, which the police would not provide. After writing to the Minister of Local Government, requesting him to intervene, the party met once with Ministry officials, who showed interest in resolving the problems. The next three dates for a follow-up meeting were not honoured by Ministry officials, and no subsequent meeting between the Democratic Green Party and the Ministry took place. The party then wrote to the Minister of Local Government and the Minister of Justice requesting that the necessary documents be signed at the State Notary‟s Office. They later also wrote to the local authorities requesting permission for a congress to be held in June 2010. The party said no response to the letters was received. In a media interview, President Kagame said that the Democratic Green Party‟s failure to obtain the documents required for registration was because they kept fighting among themselves. It was not true that the Government had refused to register the Party. The Ministry of Local Government had tried to help them. The Minister of Local Government informed the observers that the Democratic Green party‟s congress was characterized by misunderstandings among the founding party members that ended in chaos and fighting each other. Officials from the Ministry had held a meeting with Mr Habineza to chart out possible solutions ; they had decided to hold a second meeting to come up with strategies leading to convening a peaceful and secure congress. However, Mr Habineza did not come back to the Ministry as agreed, and thereafter he had announced that he would take a few members to the State Notary to have the necessary documents signed at the State Notary office. The Ministry said this approach did not meet the requirements of the law governing political parties. Mr Frank Habineza told observers that he chose not to contest the elections as an independent, saying that his allegiances lay with the party. 2. FDU-Inkingi 3 The observers did not meet with representatives from FDU-Inkingi The Chairperson of the United Democratic Forces FDU-Inkingi Ms Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza had returned to Rwanda in January 2010, after 16 years exile, reportedly to register her political party and contest the presidential elections. She was arrested on 21 April on charges of association with a terrorist group, propagating genocide ideology, revisionism and divisionism. She was granted bail and conditionally released, with orders not to leave Kigali and to report to the authorities twice a month. The Rwandan government has refuted claims in the international media that Ms Ingabire Umuhoza‟s arrest was politically motivated, saying that the state was ready to produce evidence in court linking Ms Ingabire Umuhoza to a terrorist group, plans to cause state insecurity among other charges. The Rwandan government also cited a 2009 UN Experts Group report on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (S/2009/603), which found that FDU-Inkingi diaspora members in Belgium had been in telephone contact with leaders of the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda), a Rwandan Hutu power rebel group operating in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo). The report also said Ms Ingabire Umuhoza had attended inter-Rwandan dialogue meetings in Spain with pro-FDLR individuals participants. In April 2010, two senior commanders of the FDLR, accused of planning activities aimed at causing state insecurity, admitted in court of having worked with Ms Ingabire Umuhoza to form rebel groups to launch offensives in the country. 3. PS-Imberakuri 4 The observers did not meet with representatives from PS-Imberakuri The Social Party Imberakuri (PS-Imberakuri) was registered as a political party in July 2009. Since then, the party experienced serious internal divisions, and its leader, Bernard Ntaganda was ousted as party leader by Christine Mukabunani. Mrs Mukabunani announced on 1 July 2010 that PS-Imberakuri would not field a candidate in the presidential elections. Mr Ntaganda and his supporters stated, in a press release, that the takeover was orchestrated by party members believed to have been manipulated by the RPF. On 24 April, Mr Ntaganda was arrested in his home in Kigali, before he could leave to join protests against the government‟s and National Electoral Commission‟s alleged exclusion of all viable opposition from the presidential elections. He was later charged with propagating genocide ideology, promoting ethnic divisionism, attempted murder, terrorism and organising illegal gatherings. He was denied bail. The three above-mentioned political parties issued a press release on 19 February 2010 that they had formed a Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties with the aim of defining a common position and carrying out advocacy work, including in the following areas : registration of political parties, diplomacy, information and communication, and justice. The Democratic Green Party and the FDU-Inkingi publicised information about their situation to international media and interlocutors throughout the lead-up to the elections. Mr Frank Habineza stated to observers that he and other members of his party had faced threats, warning them to stop their political activities. There were also some arrests of supporters of the parties not contesting the elections, on various charges, such as planning illegal demonstrations, in the lead-up to the elections. Although each of the situations of the political parties listed above differs greatly, the overall impact is a concern. The election campaign notably lacked critical opposition voices( note : FDU and PSI were not met) Full report can be downloaded from the Commonwealth website, link below : http://www.thecommonwealth.org/document/229333/2010_rwanda_elections__final_report.htm
The News Editor Rwanda News Agency Kigali, Rwanda Dear Sir : Re : Clarification on RNA Story : Green Party has not yet issued a statement on UN Report on Congo In reference to the News Article : Green Party defends RPA soldiers against UN Genocide charge, delivered from our statement : Democratic Green Party of Rwanda’s Stand on Crimes against Humanity ;http://rwandagreendemocrats.org/spi . We are pleased to make the following clarifications : The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda Stand on Crimes against Humanity is referring to crimes made during the liberation struggle from 1990-1994 and also on the counter-insurgents that followed till 1997 or shortly thereafter. This statement was issued out on 3rd June 2010, and can still be accessed on :http://rwandagreendemocrats.org/spi , it was titled : OUR POSITION ON : Genocide Ideology, Crimes against Humanity, Accusations on Ms. Victoire INGABIRE, Me.Bernard NTAGANDA and The Arrest of Prof. Peter ERLINDER. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda has not yet issued out any statement as regards the recent draft leaked UN report on Congo. We shall react when the report is officially published. We shall be pleased to see this reaction published by the Rwanda News Agency. Frank HABINEZA Founding President Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
During the 1994 Genocide against Tutsis, the regime in power also targeted political opponents from other tribes. Many more people (Hutus) were killed. The then rebel Rwanda Patriotic Front/Army (RPF/A) was fighting with Government Soldiers. Some RPA soldiers killed innocent civilians. It was not RPF policy to kill HUTUS. The RPA soldiers who killed people were severely punished and some evidences are available. It may be possible that not all were punished. Investigations can be made and those who committed crimes against humanity be brought to book. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, will set up a Truth and Justice Commission, which will help to resolve this problem and bring about genuine reconciliation in the Rwandan people. We shall also establish a National Rwandan Dialogue, which will bring all people from different walks of life both in the country and Diaspora to help in setting up a sustainable Rwanda, where Rwandans will have justice, peace and tranquility. We believe that all those who committed the genocide and crimes against humanity should be punished and Never Again should be Never Again. The problem of FDLR is a political problem. It cannot be solved using military might. It needs political answers and the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda has those answers, using its principles of : Non-Violence, Social Justice, Participatory Democracy, Respect for Diversity, Respect for Human Rights, Sustainable Development and Ecological Wisdom. http://rwandagreendemocrats.org/spi Immediate Contact : Phone : +46737588927 Email : fhabineza@africangreens.org Frank HABINEZA, Founding President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda/ President, African Greens Federation/ Co-Africa Representative to Global Greens Coordination (GGC) Mob : + 250 78 85 630 39 Email : fhabineza@africangreens.org http://www.rwandagreendemocrats.org http://www.africangreens.org http://www.globalgreens.org
Rwandan Opposition Calls for a Transitional Government of National Unity to organize free and fair elections, Release of All Political Prisoners, Opening up of Political Space and an International Inquiry into the death of Green Party’s Vice President. The Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties in Rwanda-PCC, which brings together the United Democratic Forces, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and the Social Party Imberakuri, is calling for a Transitional Government of National Unity involving all stakeholders which will organize free and fair elections. We once again urgently call for the release of all political prisoners, opening up of political space and an International Inquiry into the death of the Green Party’s Vice President, Andre KAGWA RWISEREKA. All the three opposition parties were blocked from participating in the past concluded presidential elections which the incumbent rigged with over 93% after running with stooge candidates. General Paul KAGAME refused to register the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda after a whole year of risky peaceful struggle that was started on 14th August 2009. He also refused to register the United Democratic Forces-FDU Inkingi and imprisoned its leader Ms. Victoire Ingabire in April 2010, she was later released on bail but still under an extended house arrest. The ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front used all strategies to block the opposition from registering and participating in the elections. Some of which were very violent, like the sabotage of the Green Party congress of 30th October 2009, where the party delegates from all over the country were beaten up by armed state operatives and the meeting banned by police on grounds of trumped up security reasons. Similar events also happened to Ms.Victoire Ingabire Leader of FDU-Inkingi, she was beaten up in a Government office early in the year and has been charged on politically motivated crimes, such as harboring the genocide ideology and collaboration with a terrorist group. The Social Party Imberakuri had managed to get registered in July 2009, but was later broken up into several factions, one of them now in the Government’s Political Parties Forum. Its Founding President, Maitre Bernard NTAGANDA is in prison since 24th June 2010. On 11th August 2010, the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda was much alarmed and shocked by the statements from the Rwandan Minister of Education, Dr.Charles MURIGANDE, that the Green Party’ Vice President had died in a car accident. In the same statement the Minister said that if opposition colleague Victoire Ingabire died in a car accident, that this should not be blamed on the Government of Rwanda. The same day, 11th August ; Madam Victoire survived a car accident on her way back home. Frank Habineza, faced both physical and indirect threats this year, he also received death threats, this was also published in UMUSESO Newspaper late February 2010 that he was going to be killed within 60 days. Although, this did not happen, his Vice President was decapitated. URGENT CALL FOR ACTION : We urgently call for urgent direct talks between the ruling block and the genuine opposition parties for a Transitional Government of National Unity involving all stakeholders which will organize free and fair elections. We believe that this will be the only solution to achieve sustainable peace in Rwanda. We demand an immediate release from Prison of Mr. Bernard NTAGANDA, who was detained on 24th June 2010 We demand an immediate release and drop of all charges against Ms. Victoire INGABIRE, she is under extended house arrest since April 2010 We demand immediate release of Ms. Seraphine MUKAMANA a suffering mother in Kigali Maximum prison, since November 2009, she is the Green Party’s Kigali City Coordinator. We demand immediate release of Mr. Martin NTAVUKA, FDU INKINGI District leader in KIGALI capital City. We demand an immediate trial of the killers of Mr.Andre KAGWA RWISEREKA (Vice President of the Green Democratic Party of Rwanda) and we still call for an international independent inquiry into the death of Mr. RWISEREKA and an independent autopsy as Human Rights Watch has already requested. We call for the release of all political prisoners, these include Mr. Charles NTAKIRUTINKA (since 2001, the former minister in the Rwandan government, is serving a 10-year sentence, he was charged for helping launch the Democratic Party for Renewal (PDR-Ubuyanja, Parti Démocratique du Renouveau) in collaboration with the Former President Pasteur BIZIMUNGU), Dr. Théoneste NIYITEGEKA (former presidential aspirant in the 2003 elections), Mr. Deogratias MUSHAYIDI (PDP IMANZI leader. We call for the opening up of political space and registration of all opposition parties. Considering the whole dimension of the leaked UN report accusing Rwanda of possible genocide in Congo, we encourage the United Nations and the International Community to move forward and to bring to book the responsible of wholesale war crimes and crimes against humanity. The impunity is one of the key factor of the unrest in the African great Lakes region. We call for the use of non-violent means to solve Rwandan problems and request all Rwandans not to use violence. Issued at Kigali, 31st August 2010 Mrs. Victoire INGABIRE UMUHOZA Chairperson, United Democratic Forces, FDU INKINGI Mr. Frank HABINEZA Founding President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda Mr. Theobald MUTARAMBIRWA Secretary General, PS Imberakuri Rwandan Opposition Calls for a Transitional Government of National Unity to organize free and fair elections, Release of All Political Prisoners, Opening up of Political Space and an International Inquiry into the death of Green Party’s Vice President. The Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties in Rwanda-PCC, which brings together the United Democratic Forces, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda and the Social Party Imberakuri, is calling for a Transitional Government of National Unity involving all stakeholders which will organize free and fair elections. We once again urgently call for the release of all political prisoners, opening up of political space and an International Inquiry into the death of the Green Party’s Vice President, Andre KAGWA RWISEREKA. All the three opposition parties were blocked from participating in the past concluded presidential elections which the incumbent rigged with over 93% after running with stooge candidates. General Paul KAGAME refused to register the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda after a whole year of risky peaceful struggle that was started on 14th August 2009. He also refused to register the United Democratic Forces-FDU Inkingi and imprisoned its leader Ms. Victoire Ingabire in April 2010, she was later released on bail but still under an extended house arrest. The ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front used all strategies to block the opposition from registering and participating in the elections. Some of which were very violent, like the sabotage of the Green Party congress of 30th October 2009, where the party delegates from all over the country were beaten up by armed state operatives and the meeting banned by police on grounds of trumped up security reasons. Similar events also happened to Ms.Victoire Ingabire Leader of FDU-Inkingi, she was beaten up in a Government office early in the year and has been charged on politically motivated crimes, such as harboring the genocide ideology and collaboration with a terrorist group. The Social Party Imberakuri had managed to get registered in July 2009, but was later broken up into several factions, one of them now in the Government’s Political Parties Forum. Its Founding President, Maitre Bernard NTAGANDA is in prison since 24th June 2010. On 11th August 2010, the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda was much alarmed and shocked by the statements from the Rwandan Minister of Education, Dr.Charles MURIGANDE, that the Green Party’ Vice President had died in a car accident. In the same statement the Minister said that if opposition colleague Victoire Ingabire died in a car accident, that this should not be blamed on the Government of Rwanda. The same day, 11th August ; Madam Victoire survived a car accident on her way back home. Frank Habineza, faced both physical and indirect threats this year, he also received death threats, this was also published in UMUSESO Newspaper late February 2010 that he was going to be killed within 60 days. Although, this did not happen, his Vice President was decapitated. URGENT CALL FOR ACTION : • We urgently call for urgent direct talks between the ruling block and the genuine opposition parties for a Transitional Government of National Unity involving all stakeholders which will organize free and fair elections. We believe that this will be the only solution to achieve sustainable peace in Rwanda. We demand an immediate release from Prison of Mr. Bernard NTAGANDA, who was detained on 24th June 2010 We demand an immediate release and drop of all charges against Ms. Victoire INGABIRE, she is under extended house arrest since April 2010 We demand immediate release of Ms. Seraphine MUKAMANA a suffering mother in Kigali Maximum prison, since November 2009, she is the Green Party’s Kigali City Coordinator. We demand immediate release of Mr. Martin NTAVUKA, FDU INKINGI District leader in KIGALI capital City. We demand an immediate trial of the killers of Mr.Andre KAGWA RWISEREKA (Vice President of the Green Democratic Party of Rwanda) and we still call for an international independent inquiry into the death of Mr. RWISEREKA and an independent autopsy as Human Rights Watch has already requested. We call for the release of all political prisoners, these include Mr. Charles NTAKIRUTINKA (since 2001, the former minister in the Rwandan government, is serving a 10-year sentence, he was charged for helping launch the Democratic Party for Renewal (PDR-Ubuyanja, Parti Démocratique du Renouveau) in collaboration with the Former President Pasteur BIZIMUNGU), Dr. Théoneste NIYITEGEKA (former presidential aspirant in the 2003 elections), Mr. Deogratias MUSHAYIDI (PDP IMANZI leader. We call for the opening up of political space and registration of all opposition parties. Considering the whole dimension of the leaked UN report accusing Rwanda of possible genocide in Congo, we encourage the United Nations and the International Community to move forward and to bring to book the responsible of wholesale war crimes and crimes against humanity. The impunity is one of the key factor of the unrest in the African great Lakes region. We call for the use of non-violent means to solve Rwandan problems and request all Rwandans not to use violence. Issued at Kigali, 31st August 2010 Mrs. Victoire INGABIRE UMUHOZA Chairperson, United Democratic Forces, FDU INKINGI Mr. Frank HABINEZA Founding President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda Mr. Theobald MUTARAMBIRWA Secretary General, PS Imberakuri
WASHINGTON | Fri Aug 13, 2010 10:49pm EDT WASHINGTON (Reuters) The United States expressed concern on Friday about disturbing events surrounding this week’s presidential election in Rwanda in which incumbent Paul Kagame drew 93 percent of the votes. http://www.reuters.com/article/idUS The White House National Security Council said in a statement that progress has been in Rwanda since the 1994 genocide of 800,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus. We remain concerned, however, about a series of disturbing events prior to the election, including the suspension of two newspapers, the expulsion of a human rights researcher, the barring of two opposition parties from taking part in the election, and the arrest of journalists, National Security Council spokesman Mike Hammer said in a statement. The land-locked African country’s stability and prosperity will be difficult to sustain without broad political debate and open political participation, Hammer said. Critics say the Rwandan election campaign was marred by government repression. Human rights groups pointed to mounting violence during the run-up to the election after the fatal shooting of a local journalist and the killing of an opposition official who was found nearly beheaded in July. The government denied involvement. Democracy is about more than holding elections, Hammer added. A democracy reflects the will of the people, where minority voices are heard and respected, where opposition candidates run on the issues without threat or intimidation, where freedom of expression and freedom of the press are protected. The White House statement does not congratulate Kagame for his re-election in Monday’s voting. Kagame’s nearest rival, Jean Damascene Ntawukuliryayo of the Social Democratic Party, won 5 percent of the vote, according to final election results released on Wednesday. We have expressed our concerns to the government of Rwanda, and we hope the leadership will take steps toward more democratic governance, increased respect for minority and opposition views, and continued peace, Hammer said. (Reporting by Tom Doggett ; Editing by Will Dunham)
LONDON, Aug. 13 (UPI) — Presidential elections in Rwanda are a sign of peaceful reconciliation, though political restrictions during the campaign are a top concern, London said. http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Special Voters turned out in record numbers Monday to cast their ballots. Paul Kagame, seeking his second term as Rwandan president, ran against three other candidates who were closely aligned with his ruling platform. The Rwanda National Election Commission confirmed Wednesday that Kagame won his bid for a second term in office with 93 percent of the vote. Henry Bellingham, a minister with the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, said the peaceful election was a sign Rwanda has moved past the legacy of the 1994 genocide. Rwanda has made huge strides since 1994 and these elections represent another important stage in the country’s development, he said. Allegations that Kagame was stifling the opposition, however, was a top concern for the British government, he said. Andre Kagwa Rwisereka, a member of the opposition Democratic Green Party in Rwanda, was found dead in July with his head nearly cut off. The opposition party said it was unsuccessful in registering its candidates for the presidential election. The BBC reported last week that its investigations into political assassinations during the run-up to the presidential election suggested Kagame ordered the slaying of his opponents. The government in Kigali denied the allegations. Bellingham said he has raised his concerns with the Rwandan government. We await the report and findings of the Commonwealth mission which observed the elections, he said.
