The Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties in Rwanda (PCC) The Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties in Rwanda which brings together, the United Democratic Forces (FDU–Inkingi), the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, the Parti Social IMBERAKURI, is very disturbed and deeply concerned with the new RPF strategy of doing away with the real political opposition and embrace its coalition partners for the last 16 years as the Political Opposition. This comes just a few weeks after the public Request by President Kagame in one of his Press Conferences held in April 2010, telling Liberal Party-PL and Social Democratic Party-PSD to start claiming for the political space the opposition has been calling for. Dr. Jean Damascene Ntawukuriryayo, Rwanda’s Deputy Speaker of Parliament, cannot challenge President Paul Kagame and the RPF in the upcoming August presidential elections. Dr. Ntawukuriryayo is a former Health Minister and his Social Democratic Party (PSD) have been sleeping in the same bed with RPF since 1994 and in 2003 elections, PSD backed the RPF candidate. The President of PSD, Dr.Vincent BIRUTA, became the Speaker of Parliament then and there-after, till now the Speaker of the Rwandan Senate-the second Supreme Organ in the Country and Number two in hierarchy according to the Rwandan Constitution and also the Deputy Speaker of Parliament is not far away from the top hierarchy and decision makers of the Land. The usual master plan is already known : the right time the stooge candidate urges his supporters to vote for the incumbent. It’s very clear that PSD is an RPF satellite and affiliated Party and has never been in opposition since 1994. It is just coming in to escort and give legitimacy to the RPF Candidate and hoodwink the international community that the elections are free and fair. The Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties in Rwanda strongly condemns this new RPF strategy of doing away with the real and genuine political opposition by embracing its coalition Partners, PSD and PL as its new opposition. PSD and PL have never stood up publically to challenge the RPF regime, they have never denounced the injustices of the RPF against the population, they have never confronted the RPF for the democratization of the country, they have always been comfortable with the RPF-established clientele system and they have always supported all RPF activities without giving any critic publically. An election, where the real opposition is not allowed to participate in, is just a wastage of national resources and wastage of time. We once again call for a level playing field for the 2010 presidential election ; the legitimacy of the results will remain a big problem if the real opposition is closed out. We also once again call the Rwandan Government to register the real opposition parties : FDU INKINGI and the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda without any further hurdles. Issued at Kigali, 24th May 2010 Signed by : Ms Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza Chairperson, United Democratic Forces Mr. Frank Habineza Chairman, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda Me. Bernard Ntaganda Chairman, Parti Social IMBERAKURI
The Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties in Rwanda which brings together, The United Democratic Forces (FDU–Inkingi), The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, Le Parti Social IMBERAKURI, is deeply concerned with the continued grenade attacks which are destabilizing the security situation in the country, these barbaric acts are causing a serious security and political crisis to the people of Rwanda. Our country has indeed suffered a lot, many people have died, we need no more war, no more killings. We strongly condemn all these violent means being used to threaten the Rwandan People and make the upcoming presidential elections a nightmare. We condemn in the strongest terms possible the use of violence and the authors of the continued grenade attacks in Kigali city and elsewhere in Rwanda. The Opposition Parties have embraced non- violence to change the political situation in Rwanda. We also strongly condemn the arrest and intimidation of political opponents ; sabotage and non-registration of opposition parties. We believe that without a discussion on creating a level playing field for the 2010 election, the legitimacy of the results will remain a problem. We seriously condemn the suspension of independent newspapers by the Rwandan High Media Council and its recent decision to ban UMUSESO and UMUVUGIZI Newspapers for good, (freedom of the press is a fundamental right, citizens of Rwanda have a right to balanced information). The escalation of this crisis is no secret any more : arrest and intimidation of political opponents ; sabotage and non-registration of opposition parties, arbitrary detention and exile of army senior officers ; suspension of independent newspapers ; (unexplained repeating grenade blasts in Kigali city) and “near-war” speeches from the President. The Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties in Rwanda urge : The Government to take all necessary measures to thoroughly investigate these barbaric killings and continued security threats, prosecute those responsible, ensure the physical and psychological integrity of all citizens and inform Rwandans about this unrevealing grenade terror. The Government to register the FDU INKINGI and the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda without any further delay. The Government to put an end to the harassment, intimidation and withdraw the politically motivated trials of opposition leaders. The Government to immediately release the new electoral code and set up a consensus based national electoral commission. We officially call upon the international community and all bilateral partners of Rwanda to take an active role in the peaceful process for achieving a lasting solution to the current political situation in Rwanda. Issued at Kigali, 19th May 2010 Signed by : Ms Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza Chairperson, United Democratic Forces Mr. Frank Habineza Chairman, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda Me. Bernard Ntaganda Chairman, Parti Social IMBERAKURI
18th May, 2010 The Mayor of Gasabo District Kigali, Rwanda Dear Sir, RE : Requesting Permission to Hold Founding Congress for Democratic Green Party of Rwanda. We humbly request you to allow us hold the founding congress of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda on 4th June 2010. After several correspondences between the District of Gasabo and National Police, we requested the Ministry of Local Government to intervene in our situation, we held one meeting with them and they showed their interest in our holding a peaceful congress. We informed them of our new strategy to sign party documents in the Public Notary’s Office, without holding a congress but they clarified that a congress was mandatory. It’s in that regard that we would like to once again request for your permission to hold the Party’s founding Congress on 4th June 2010 at CASABONITA Hall, Kimironko Sector, Gasabo District, Kigali City. We would also like to take on this opportunity to request the presence of the District Public Notary who will witness the signing ceremony. We recently re-organized our party and nominated new committee members, we don’t have any internal problems. The Police had written to us, assuring its commitment to protect us in case we got the permission from the District, we are hopeful that we shall not have any security problem. Since it’s in Government’s roles and obligations to ensure security for all Rwandans, including ourselves, we are hopeful to have a peaceful and successful congress. We are looking forward to getting your quick response. Yours Faithfully Frank HABINEZA Founding President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda C.C : Minister of Local Government Mayor of Kigali City
The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda declares its intentions to field an opposition Presidential Candidate in the upcoming August 2010 elections. The Party Flag bearer will be Mr. Frank HABINEZA, the founding President of the Party. After a lot of inquiries and speculation from different media houses both in Rwanda and outside Rwanda, the Executive Committee of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda declares its intentions to field an opposition Presidential Candidate in the upcoming August 2010 elections. Our participation in the upcoming presidential elections is on condition of the Party Registration before the end of June 2010. The Party Flag bearer will be Mr. Frank HABINEZA, the founding President of the Party. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda will submit once again a request to Gasabo District to allow it hold its party founding congress on 4th June 2010 and allow us participate in the World Environmental Day cerebrations, which will be held on International Level in Rwanda. We hope that once the Congress is successful, we will immediately submit our complete dossier requesting for registration to the Ministry of Local Government, which normally doesn’t delay in dealing with such matters, is expected to register the party before the deadline of submitting nominations of Presidential Candidates between 24th June 2nd July 2010. We hope the District will give us a quick and positive response. We recently re-organized our party and got new Executive Committee members, we don’t have any internal problem. The Police had written to us, assuring its commitment to protect us in case we got the permission from the District, we are hopeful that we shall not have any security problem. Since it’s in Government’s roles and obligations to ensure security for all Rwandans, including ourselves, we are hopeful to have a peaceful and successful congress. We call upon the Rwandan Government to open up political space and allow opposition parties to participate in the upcoming presidential elections. Issued at Kigali, 17th May 2010 Signed by The National Executive Committee : Names and Position : 1. Mr. Frank HABINEZA, President 2. Mr. Andre RWISEREKA KAGWA, First Vice President 3. Ms. Jeanine UWINEZA, Second Vice President 4. Ms. Didacienne KANGEYO, Secretary General 5. Mr. Jean Claude NTEZIMANA, Deputy Secretary General 6. Mr. Alexis MUGISHA, Treasurer General 7. Ms. Carine MAOMBI, Deputy Treasurer General 8. Ms. Diane MUYISENGE, Communication Secretary
Dear Editor, Rwanda News Agency, We are so much disturbed and concerned with the way you interpreted our Declaration on Non-Violence in your article published on Tuesday 11 May, titled : U-Turn from Green Party amid registration uncertainty. We urgently request you to make the following corrections : DEMOCRATIC GREEN PARTY OF RWANDA B.P. 6334 KIGALI, RWANDA 13th May 2010 The News Editor Rwanda News Agency KIGALI, RWANDA Dear Editor, Subject : Urgent Demand for Correction of Article titled : U-Turn from Green Party amid registration uncertainty We are so much disturbed and concerned with the way you interpreted our Declaration on Non-Violence in your article published on Tuesday 11 May, titled : U-Turn from Green Party amid registration uncertainty. We urgently request you to make the following corrections : 1. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, has not made any U-Turn. We are still an opposition party but we believe in the Global Greens Charter and African Greens Charter, which oblige us to respect the principle of Non-Violence. This is not something new, our party has always been non violent, but we wanted to clear out any misconceptions on us. We have no soldiers, we don’t work with FDLR as some media houses have claimed and we don’t support war or any other causes of war. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda is not a party for those who may have intentions to throw the country backwards in bloodshed. It’s a party deeply rooted in green ideology, which can be found on our website :www.rwandagreendemocrats.org, or on www.africangreens.org andwww.globalgreens.org 2. NO, we haven’t distanced ourselves from opposition colleagues ; we believe that any one is innocent until proven guilty. We demand fair trial and immediate justice. We believe that justice delayed is justice denied. 3. The Permanent Consultative Council of Opposition Parties in Rwanda that we established in February 2010, still exists even though it has been affected with the problems happening in PS Imberakuri. 4. Recognizing achievements made by the RPF led Government does not make the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda an RPF Wing Party but it’s something any reasoning person or group can recognize. We believe that we should give credit where it’s due and criticize where necessary. 5. We believe in a constructive opposition, like the one in UK, which allows the Conservatives to put aside their differences and work together with the Liberal Democrats and at the same time send the ruling Labour back in the opposition. So we don’t see anything unreasonable to appreciate the good things that have been achieved and that does not make us loose our political line. 6. We remain an opposition party and we are not going to fight with any one, we come with a message of peace and hope. We thank you very much in advance for taking care of our serious concern by publishing another article. Yours Sincerely Frank HABINEZA Founding President, Democratic Green Party of Rwanda
Letter to H.E. Mr. Gérard Ntwari, Ambassador of Rwanda in Belgium, May 6th 2010. It requests protection to Rwandan Opposition Politicians. It is signed by the EU Chairperson of the Human Rights Sub-Committee and the Green Leaders in Europe and the European Parliament Greens Demand Protection to Rwandan Opposition Politicians Letter to S.E. Monsieur Gérard Ntwari, Ambassador of Rwanda in Belgium, May 6th 2010. Honourable Mr. Ntwari, We, the undersigned, are gravely concerned about news that Rwandan oppositional politicians Mrs Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza and Mr Deogratias Mushayidi are being judicially harassed in order to silence their criticism of the state authorities. Mrs Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, presidential candidate and Chairperson of the UDF_INKINGI who recently returned from exile in the Netherlands, is currenlty under house arrest and Mr Deogratias Mushayidi, president of the opposition party PDP_Umanzi is imprisoned both without any official charge against them. We call strongly that the Rwandan authorities either charge them with a criminal offence without delay or promptly release them. Persistent threat and harassment continues against Frank Habineza, president of Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, which is a serious problem to his party’s democratic participation in the upcoming election process. What is more, we are further alarmed to learn that this is not apparently first attempt to curtail the freedom of speech of those who openly criticise the President Kagame of Rwanda and his government. No history of a country shall testify more to the importance of the freedom of speech than that of Rwanda. Never again must the voice of the people be compromised according to political currencies. We urge you to guarantee political space for opposition voices, free from intimidation, with appropriate protection from security forces for individual party activists. We hope that the issue will be resolved quickly and that the authorities will ensure that freedom of speech shall be not only protected but also promoted in Rwanda. Heidi Hautala, Chairwoman of European Parliament Subcommittee on Human Rights Rebecca Harms Co-president of the Green/Efa Group Daniel Cohn Bendit Co-president of the Green/Efa Group Monica Frassoni European Green Party Co-spokesperson Philippe Lamberts European Green Party Co-spokesperson http://www.heidihautala.fi/2010/05/
After different statements and allegations made against us in the media and elsewhere, the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda re-confirms its commitment to its principle of non-violence and would also like to state the following : We declare our commitment to nonviolence and strive for a culture of peace and cooperation between individuals in the Rwandan community as the basis of national security and sustainable development. We believe that national security should not rest only on military strength but also on cooperation, economic and social development, environmental safety, and respect for human rights. Basing on this principle and after careful consideration of the Rwandan history, which has been marked with use of force and violence to solve national problems, since 1959 to 1994 genocide, which claimed over one million innocent lives. We re-confirm our commitment on the principle on non-use of confrontational politics, since it only helps to make matters worse other than improve them. We re-confirm our position to not work with people or groups, who may have intentions of taking back the country backwards. The good things the country has achieved have taken a lot of efforts and energy. This should be highly valued. We shall continue to strive for consultative politics, diplomacy, cooperation and peaceful competition for political power. But based on mutual understanding, truth and avoidance of abusive language. We commit ourselves to condemning any causes of war and conflicts by understanding and respecting the Rwandan culture, eradicating racism, promoting freedom and democracy, and eradication of poverty. We strive for a national security system capable of the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts using peaceful means. In the process to register the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, we were always pushed on the wall and ended up in reactionary politics ; this has coasted us a lot and never gave us chance to tell Rwandans our message of peace and hope. We recognise the different achievements made by the RPF led Government for the last 16 years, especially in the areas of economic development, educational sector (where all Rwandans are accessing education on merit other than race), improvement in national security and many others. We believe that there is still a big room for improvement in other areas like democracy and good governance. As an opposition party, we also have an important role to play in the sustainable development of Rwanda. We shall strive for a better Rwanda, where all Rwandans from different parts of the world, will feel free to come back home in a country of peace and justice. Non-violence is indeed the sustainable solution to Rwandan problems ; we encourage all Rwandans to embrace it. It’s our guarantee for a better future and better Rwanda. Issued at Kigali, 10th May 2010 Signed by The National Executive Committee : Names and Position 1. Mr. Frank HABINEZA, President 2. Mr. Andre RWISEREKA KAGWA, First Vice President 3. Ms. Jeanine UWINEZA, Second Vice President 4. Ms. Didacienne KANGEYO, Secretary General 5. Mr. Jean Claude NTEZIMANA, Deputy Secretary General 6. Mr. Alexis MUGISHA, Treasurer General 7. Ms. Carine MAOMBI, Deputy Treasurer General 8. Ms. Diane MUYISENGE, Communication Secretary
Extract of the Law on Registration of Political parties in Rwanda, from Law N° 19/2007 of 04/05/2007 Organic Law modifying and complementing Organic Law n° 16/2003 of 27/06/2003 governing Political Organizations and Politicians French N° 19/2007 du 04/05/2007 Loi Organique modifiant et complétant la Loi Organique n° 16/2003 du 27/06/2003 régissant les Formations Politiques et les Politiciens Kinyarwanda N° 19/2007 ryo kuwa 04/05/2007 Itegeko Ngenga rihindura kandi ryuzuza Itegeko Ngenga n° 16/2003 ryo kuwa 27/06/2003 rigenga Imitwe ya Politiki n’Abanyapolitiki Article 3 : Application for registration of a political organization and the number of those signing its statutes Article 9 of the Organic law n° 16/2003 of 27/06/2003 governing political organizations and politicians is modified and complemented as follows : “Persons intending to form political organizations shall submit to the Minister in charge of political organizations an application letter requesting for registration of the political organization for which an acknowledgment of receipt shall be issued. The number of signatories to any political organization’s statute shall be at least two hundred (200) from the whole country including at least five (5) persons from each District. The provisions of the first two paragraphs of this Article shall not apply to political organizations already registered before the publication of this Organic Law in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Rwanda”. Article 4 : Documents accompanying a political organization’s application for registration Article 10 of the Organic Law n° 16/2003 of 27/06/2003 governing political organizations and politicians is modified and complemented as follows : “The application letter requesting for the registration of a political organization shall include the following : 1° three (3) certified true copies of the political organization statutes, three (3) copies of the minutes of the constituent assembly of the political organization and three (3) copies of its internal rules and regulations ; 2° a statement describing the head office of the political organization and its basic equipment ; 3° for each legal representative of the political organization : a. a certificate of full identity ; b. a residence certificate which is issued by the Sector’s Executive Secretary of his or her residence ; c. Criminal record”. FRENCH VERSION Article 3 : Demande d’enregistrement d’une formation politique et nombre des signataires de ses statuts L’article 9 de la loi organique n° 16/2003 du 27/06/2003 régissant les formations politiques et les politiciens est modifié et complété comme suit : « Les fondateurs des formations politiques doivent déposer une demande d’enregistrement auprès du Ministre ayant les formations politiques dans ses attributions contre récépissé. Le nombre des membres signataires des statuts des formations politiques doit être au moins de deux cent (200) personnes dans tout le pays, dont au moins cinq (5) domiciliés dans chaque District. Les dispositions des deux précédents alinéas du présent article ne concernent pas les formations politiques agréées au Rwanda et formées avant la publication de la présente loi organique au Journal Officiel de la République du Rwanda. » Article 4 : Documents accompagnant la demande d’enregistrement d’une formation politique L’article 10 de la loi organique n° 16/2003 du 27/06/2003 régissant les formations politiques et les politiciens est modifié et complété comme suit : « Le dossier de demande d’enregistrement d’une formation politique doit comprendre : 1° trois (3) exemplaires des statuts notariés, trois (3) exemplaires du procès-verbal de l’assemblée constituante de la formation politique ainsi que trois (3) exemplaires de son Règlement d’ordre intérieur ; 2° une déclaration indiquant l’adresse du siège de la formation politique et son matériel de base ; 3° concernant chaque représentant légal de la formation politique : a. une attestation d’identité complète ; b. une attestation de résidence délivrée par le Secrétaire Exécutif de Secteur de résidence ; c. un extrait du casier judiciaire. » MU KINYARWANDA Ingingo ya 3 : Urwandiko rusaba ko umutwe wa politiki wandikwa n’umubare w’abashyira umukono ku mategeko awugenga Ingingo ya 9 y’Itegeko Ngenga n° 16/2003 ryo kuwa 27/06/2003 rigenga imitwe ya politiki n’abanyapolitiki ihinduwe kandi yujujwe ku buryo bukurikira : “Abashinga imitwe ya politiki bagomba gushyikiriza Minisitiri ufite imitwe ya politiki mu nshingano ze urwandiko rusaba ko umutwe wa politiki wandikwa kandi bagahabwa icyemezo ko rwakiriwe. Umubare w’abashyize umukono ku mategeko agenga umutwe wa politiki ugomba kuba nibura magana abiri (200) mu gihugu cyose, barimo nibura batanu (5) babarurirwa muri buri Karere. Ibiteganyijwe mu bika bibiri bya mbere by’iyi ngingo ntibireba imitwe ya politiki yemewe mu Rwanda yagiyeho mbere y’uko iri tegeko ngenga ritangazwa mu Igazeti ya Leta ya Repubulika y’u Rwanda”. Ingingo ya 4 : Ibigomba guherekeza urwandiko rusaba ko umutwe wa politiki wandikwa Ingingo ya 10 y’Itegeko Ngenga n° 16/2003 ryo kuwa 27/06/2003 rigenga imitwe ya politiki n’abanyapolitiki ihinduwe kandi yujujwe ku buryo bukurikira : “Urwandiko rusaba ko umutwe wa politiki wandikwa ruherekezwa n’ibi bikurikira : 1° kopi eshatu (3) z’amategeko agenga umutwe wa politiki ziriho umukono wa noteri, kopi eshatu (3) z’inyandikomvungo z’inteko rusange yashinze umutwe wa politiki na kopi eshatu (3) z’amategeko ngengamikorere yawo ; 2° inyandiko igaragaza ibiro umutwe wa politiki ukoreramo n’ibikoresho by’ibanze ufite ; 3° kuri buri wese mu bahagararira umutwe wa politiki imbere y’amategeko : a. icyemezo cy’umwirondoro wuzuye ; b. icyemezo cy’aho abarizwa gitangwa n’Umunyamabanga Nshingwabikorwa w’Umurenge w’aho aba ; c. icyemezo cy’ubutabera kigaragaza ko atigeze akatirwa, yaba yarakatiwe kikagaragaza icyaha yahaniwe“.
