NEW YORK (Aug. 20, 2024) — The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) welcomes the decision of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) deeming the 2021 arrest and imprisonment of nine Rwandan dissidents — Hamad Hagenimana, Emmanuel Masengesho, Alphonse Mutabazi, Marcel Nahimana, Jean Claude Ndayishimiye, Theoneste Nsengimana, Alexis Rucubanganya, Sylvain Sibomana, and Claudine Uwimana — arbitrary and in violation of international law. The UNWGAD’s opinion called for their immediate release, concluding that Rwandan officials failed to establish a legal basis for detaining the dissidents.
“This decision marks a significant victory in an ongoing struggle. The dissidents’ case exemplifies the appalling treatment of political opposition in Rwanda, and the UNWGAD’s message is loud and clear: The Rwandan regime should not have taken years from these individuals’ lives simply for their commitment to democracy and human rights,” HRF Senior Legal Associate Venla Stang said. “We will not rest until these courageous individuals and other arbitrarily detained Rwandans are free.”
In 2021, seven of the individuals attended online training sessions on nonviolent resistance, during which they brainstormed peaceful ways to promote human rights and democracy. One of them criticized the suspicious deaths, disappearances, and arbitrary detentions of activists in Rwanda on his social media. They also shared photos of themselves holding a sign that read, “Rwandans should be respected.” Eight are members of the unregistered DALFA-Umurinzi party, led by opposition leader Victoire Ingabire.
On Oct. 13, 2021, the eve of Ingabire Day, marking the anniversary of Ingabire’s arrest, Rwandan officials started arresting the dissidents for participating in these trainings and voicing peaceful criticisms. They were charged with “spreading false information or harmful propaganda with the intent to cause a hostile international opinion against the Rwandan government,” among others. The dissidents face sentences ranging from 10 years in prison to life.
The UNWGAD found that the dissidents’ detention resulted from exercising their right to freedom of expression, assembly, and participation in public affairs. The UNWGAD condemned their delayed access to legal assistance, detention with convicted prisoners, and unreasonably prolonged pretrial detention, thereby violating their right to a fair trial. Finally, it noted that officials discriminated against the dissidents based on their political opinions. Last April, several UN Special Procedures mandate holders inquired about the case of Théoneste Nsengimana, one of the detained individuals, from Rwandan officials.
The UNWGAD urged Rwandan officials to release the nine dissidents immediately, provide compensation for the violations, conduct an independent investigation into their detention, and take appropriate measures against those responsible. The UNWGAD is now awaiting a response from Rwandan officials on how they plan to implement these recommendations.
HRF welcomes the UNWGAD decision and urges Rwandan officials to comply. HRF will continue to advocate for the release of the nine dissidents and closely monitor the Rwandan regime’s actions as the trial resumes on Sep. 20.
Supported by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation.
The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) is a nonpartisan nonprofit organization that promotes and protects human rights globally, with a focus on closed societies.
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