The Liberal International Human Rights Committee and RENEW PAC co-chairs, Minister Sidi Touré (Côte d’Ivoire) and MEP Jan‑Christoph Oetjen (Germany), have condemned the arrest of Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, the 2024 Liberal International Prize for Freedom laureate, who has already served prison time under President Kagame. They also denounce the ongoing trial of nine individuals in Kigali accused of “spreading false information,” a charge they argue exemplifies the Rwandan government’s manipulation of vague legal provisions to suppress opposition voices. Backed by the UN Human Rights Council’s Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the statement calls these actions politically motivated efforts to intimidate dissenters. The latest arrests—triggered by the dissemination of a book advocating peaceful political change—highlight the tightening grip on civil liberties in Rwanda.
Referring to the RENEW PAC outcome document adopted in February 2025, which advocates for judicial independence and protection of political expression, the committee demands the immediate release of all those prosecuted under “false information” laws. They urge the Rwandan government to reform its penal code and cybercrime laws to eliminate these repressive clauses and to ensure an independent judiciary. The continued harassment of Ms. Ingabire, a globally respected voice for free speech, is seen as a clear sign of Rwanda’s authoritarian shift and a matter of serious concern for democratic governments in Africa, Europe, and beyond. The statement calls on Rwanda to respect its regional and international democratic commitments and restore full rights to all opposition figures, journalists, and activists.
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