Rwanda: Death Threats Against Madam Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza

PRESS RELEASE

 

The United Democratic Forces (FDU-Inkingi), an opposition political party in Rwanda, expresses deep concern over comments made by the President of the Republic of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, regarding Madam Victoire INGABIRE Umuhoza, President of DALFA-UMURINZI, the main opposition party in Rwanda. We condemn the serious death threats issued by President Kagame against her.

The FDU-Inkingi expresses its profound outrage at the unacceptable statements made by Rwandan President Paul Kagame. In his speech during the 17th “Unity Club” meeting, he mentioned that he had granted a presidential pardon to Victoire INGABIRE Umuhoza but that she failed to seize the opportunity to remain silent, encouraged by her supporters and some Western media. Kagame emphasized that it is only a matter of time and that the hour will soon come for her—a thinly veiled death threat. These remarks targeting the physical integrity of Madam Victoire INGABIRE Umuhoza are part of a long series of persecutions and repressive actions against political opponents in Rwanda and elsewhere in the world.

It should be noted that during his campaign on July 6, 2024, in the Bugesera district, Kagame spoke about Rwanda’s development, stating that “no one will come to destroy what we have built.” He also declared that “some of us have allowed ourselves to be used by these people [meaning political opponents]. They present them as extraordinary people. These people will achieve nothing until they are dead.”

On July 9, 2024, President Kagame participated in a Q&A session with Rwandan social media influencers in Mulindi village, Gicumbi district. During this session, he referred to Madam Victoire INGABIRE Umuhoza as a “small genocidal woman.” He publicly mocked her for believing she was a political opponent aspiring to become Rwanda’s president.

On July 13, 2024, the president held a press conference in which he referenced activities in which, according to him, Madam Victoire INGABIRE Umuhoza was involved, stating that she “spends her time shouting,” is “fighting with the evil inside her,” “works with people involved in the war in Eastern DRC,” and “wants or speaks ill of Rwanda.” He added: “You know she won’t end well,” which is a direct threat to her life and safety. He further said: “We cannot allow these people [like Madam Victoire INGABIRE Umuhoza and Charles Onana] to reach a level where their actions can have negative consequences for the country or the Rwandans. When it comes to this level, we find an appropriate solution… When they lie, we refute what they say. But if they go too far, the consequences are clear.” These threats further illustrate the Rwandan regime’s total disregard for fundamental human rights principles and the rule of law.

There are numerous well-documented and credible reports indicating that colleagues and members of Madam Victoire INGABIRE Umuhoza’s political party have been illegally targeted, arbitrarily arrested, tortured, disappeared, or killed over the years. Notable cases include Illuminée Iragena, who disappeared in March 2016, Jean Damascène Habarugira in May 2017, Boniface Twagirimana in October 2018, Anselme Mutuyimana in March 2019, Syldio Dusabumuremyi in September 2019, Théophile Ntirutwa in May 2020, and Vénant Abayisenga in June 2020. None of these cases have been investigated by Rwandan authorities, and no one has been held accountable for these serious crimes.

Madam Victoire INGABIRE Umuhoza, a symbol of courage and resilience in the face of dictatorship, embodies the hope of millions of Rwandans who aspire to a democratic, just and peaceful future. Attacks on her person and her physical integrity are not only threats against an individual but also direct attacks on freedom of expression, political rights, and Rwanda’s democratic future.

The FDU-Inkingi calls upon:

  1. The Rwandan government to cease making threats against Rwandan citizens. This practice is unbecoming of any authority, especially unacceptable coming from the head of state.

  2. The Rwandan people to peacefully and effectively mobilize for justice, freedom of expression, and respect for the fundamental rights of all Rwandans.

  3. Human rights organizations to denounce these blatant violations and take necessary steps to document these threats as serious human rights abuses.

  4. Rwanda’s international partners to unequivocally condemn these threatening remarks and exert effective pressure on the Rwandan regime to stop the harassment, threats, and death threats against Madam Victoire INGABIRE Umuhoza and political opponents in general.

We remind that the opposition’s struggle in Rwanda has one clear objective: to establish a truly democratic state in Rwanda, where the rights and freedoms of all are respected. We believe that intimidation and threats, even from the highest level of the state, will only strengthen political opponents in their determination to continue this legitimate fight for justice and democracy.

 

Done in Angers, November 18, 2024

 

Dr Ernest NZARAMBA

Commissioner for Legal Affairs and Human Rights.

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