On the case of Victoire Ingabire in Rwanda

B100393/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the case of Victoire Ingabire in Rwanda

(2025/2861(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its previous resolutions on Rwanda and the case of Victoire Ingabire

–having regard to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

– having regard to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights,

– having regard to the Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Fair Trial and Legal Assistance in Africa,

– having regard to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, ratified by Rwanda in 1975,

– having regard to the Samoa Agreement,

- having regard to Rule 150(5) and 136(4) of its Rules of Procedure,

Whereas the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights (AfCHPR) had ruled that Ingabire’s right to freedom of expression and an adequate defence had been violated in relation to an earlier court case against her, resulting in 8 years prison, in 2017;

Whereas Victoire Ingabire, a high-profile political opposition leader and president of the Dalfa Umurinzi party in Rwanda, was again arrested on 19 June 2025, on subversion charges, together with other nine suspects, including journalist Théoneste Nsengimana:

Whereas the Rwanda’s State actions against Ingabire are part of broader crackdown against political opposition figures;

Whereas other prominent Dalfa-Umurinzi members, such as Sylvain Sibomana, Alexis Rucubanganya, Hamad Hagenimana, Jean-Claude Ndayishimiye, Alphonse Mutabazi, Marcel Nahimana, Emmanuel Masengesho, and Claudine Uwimana, are in detention since 2021 and Fabien Twagirayezu, Gratien Nsabiyaremye, Evode Mbarushimana, Papias Ndayishimiye and Norbert Ufitamahoro were arresred in 2017 and convicted in 2020;

Whereas Rwandan authorities continue to be implicated in serious abuses and human rights violations outside of Rwanda’s borders, namely in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and in the intimidation of diaspora communities;

Calls for the immediate release of Ingabire and other Dalfa-Umurinzi members and journalists on trial or previously sentenced on abusive charges;

Urge the authorities to investigate the death or disappearance of five Dalfa-Umurinzi since 2017;

Urges the European Union and its member states to raise the crackdown on political opposition and compliance with human rights in political dialogue at the highest level with the Rwandan government:

Restates its call to completely halt any cooperation on critical raw materials with Rwanda, until the country ceases all interference in the DRC, including exporting minerals mined from the Rwanda-backed M23-controlled areas.

Calls on the European Commission to suspend existing financial and other support, such as the Justice and Accountability Programme, to Rwandan justice institutions involved in human rights violations, such as arbitrary detention, torture and unfair trials;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the VP/HR, the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States, and the Rwandan authorities.