Sittings · Document
On the case of Victoire Ingabire in Rwanda
on behalf of the Renew Group · Rapporteur: Hilde Vautmans, Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Dan Barna, Engin Eroglu, Svenja Hahn, Karin Karlsbro, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Nathalie Loiseau, JanChristoph Oetjen, Urmas Paet, MarieAgnes StrackZimmermann, Michal Wiezik, Lucia Yar
This resolution condemns the arrest and detention of opposition figure Victoire Ingabire in Rwanda and the persecution of opposition parties, journalists and human rights defenders.¶ It calls for her immediate release, the dropping of politically motivated charges, and respect for fair trial guarantees, including the registration of her party DALFA-Umurinzi.¶¶ It urges the EU to apply human rights conditionality to cooperation with Rwanda and to monitor judicial procedures.¶¶
Key points
- Strongly condemns the arrest and detention of Victoire Ingabire and the persistent persecution of opposition parties, journalists and human rights defenders in Rwanda.¶
- Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Victoire Ingabire and all those detained for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights, and demands that politically motivated charges be dropped.¶
- Underlines that her trial is marred by irregularities, including refusal of her chosen lawyers, postponements, and dismissal of recusal request, undermining her right to a fair defence.¶
- Stresses that non-violent civic education and discussion of democratic change cannot be criminalised, and reminds Rwanda of its obligations under international human rights law.¶
- Urges Rwandan authorities to ensure due process, judicial independence and fair trial guarantees, and to register DALFA-Umurinzi without delay.¶
- Expresses grave concern at unresolved deaths and enforced disappearances of opposition figures, and demands prompt, independent and transparent investigations.¶
- Calls on the European Commission to integrate strict human rights conditionality into all political dialogue and cooperation with Rwanda, particularly in the justice sector, and to review assistance to institutions implicated in abuses.¶
- Urges EU and Member States' delegations in Kigali to request permission to visit those arbitrarily detained and to monitor judicial procedures.¶
Who is affected
- Victoire Ingabire and other detained opposition activists, journalists and human rights defenders in Rwanda.¶¶
- The Rwandan government and authorities, which must ensure fair trials and register DALFA-Umurinzi.¶
- The European Commission and EU member states, which must apply conditionality and monitor trials.¶¶
Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text and ¶ links to the paragraph it rests on. Check the text itself before relying on it.