La Fondation Victoire pour la Paix (FVP) and the International Network of Women for Democracy and Peace (RiFDP) are calling on the international community to urgently pay attention to the situation of political opposition. Ms. Victoire Ingabire is currently detained in conditions that contravene The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Mandela Rules, in Rwanda since June 2025.
The UN Special Rapporteur on the freedom of opinion and expression also stated that Ms. Ingabire’s arrest appeared to be retaliation for her political activities and her exercise of free speech
The United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has also examined the case of Ms Ingabire and concluded that her detention was arbitrary.
A situation requiring international attention
In light of the suspicious deaths of government critics in custody in Rwanda in the past and recently, some Rwandan YouTubers have gone so far as to predict that Ms Ingabire could suffer a similar fate to that of the critics who died mysteriously in prison. These include genocide survivor Aimable Karasira, who died on the day he was due to be released in prison, and Kizito Mihigo, who died in prison in unexplained circumstances.
The FVP and the RiFDP are also concerned about Ms Ingabire’s safety. While predictions of her death in custody do not constitute proof of imminent danger, they are a warning signal that deserves to be taken seriously, particularly since Human Rights Organizations have already raised concerns about detention and prison conditions in Rwanda. During the Universal Periodic Review on Rwanda’s Human Rights in July 2026, the Liberal International — which awarded Ms Ingabire its Freedom Prize in 2024 — expressed fears for her life while she remains in detention, given Rwanda’s record of alleged enforced disappearances and the numerous suspicious deaths of government critics in custody.
The international community should not wait for a new tragedy just to express concern afterwards.
Prevention is better than cure: We must act now.
The FVP and the RiFDP urgently call for:
Embassies accredited to Rwanda to closely monitor Ms. Ingabire’s situation, request information from the Rwandan authorities, and seek access to the detainee as soon as possible;
The United Nations and international human rights organizations to place Ms. Ingabire’s case under urgent monitoring and to demand guarantees regarding her safety, her physical and psychological integrity, and respect of her fundamental human rights;
During its scheduled visit to Rwanda in 2026, the delegation of the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) should meet Ms. Ingabire and other detainees whose conditions of detention raise concerns;
The Rwandan authorities must immediately comply with international and domestic laws and guarantee Ms Ingabire access to necessary medical care, contact with her close family, including her children, and the right to practise her religion while in detention. Above all, they must allow her to meet her co-accused and prepare their defence freely and effectively.
The international community must act before it is too late.
It would be unacceptable if, following a potential tragedy, the very actors who could intervene today were to content themselves with expressions of regret or renewed statements of concern.
Saving a life begins with taking warning signs seriously: Victoire Ingabire’s safety, integrity, and life must be protected now.
Done in Brussels, 12 September 2026
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