Human Rights · Justice · Dignity
Statements
Our Statement on the Start of the Trial of Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza
As the trial of opposition leader Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza opens in Kigali, more than a year after her re-arrest, we set out why these proceedings lack any lawful foundation and demand her immediate and unconditional release.
Our Statement on the Death of Aimable Karasira
The Global Campaign for Rwandans' Human Rights mourns Aimable Karasira, who died in the hands of the Rwandan prison system on the very day of his release, and demands an independent investigation into his death.
Rwanda Police Must Urgently Disclose the Whereabouts of Jean de Dieu Ihorahabona, Known as Jado
Jean de Dieu Ihorahabona, known as Jado, has been missing since 1 February 2026 after being taken by men identifying themselves as police officers. We demand his whereabouts be disclosed and his safety, dignity and right to due process be guaranteed.
Statement: The Arrest of Opposition Leader Barafinda Sekikubo Fred
RIB confirmed on 29 January 2026 that Barafinda Sekikubo Fred and his two co-accused are held at its stations in Kimironko, Kicukiro BK and Kimihurura while it investigates them for spreading false information online. We demand their release and access to justice and medical care.
Our Statement on the Assassination of Journalist John Williams Ntwali
The Global Campaign for Rwandans' Human Rights mourns the death of John Williams Ntwali, the last independent journalist in Rwanda, who died in a reported road accident in Kigali on 31 January 2023, and demands an independent, internationally supervised investigation into the circumstances of his death.
Statement on the Imprisonment and Conviction of Phocas Ndayizera
Freelance journalist Phocas Ndayizera has been imprisoned since 2018 and was convicted of planning terror attacks in May 2021. We condemn this politically motivated prosecution and demand his immediate release.
Our Statement on the Disappearance of Innocent Bahati
The Global Campaign for Rwandans' Human Rights demands an independent investigation into the disappearance of poet Innocent Bahati, missing since 7 February 2021, and that the authorities publicly account for his whereabouts.
Our Statement on the Abduction of Paul Rusesabagina
The Global Campaign for Rwandans' Human Rights condemns the abduction of Paul Rusesabagina, the Hotel Rwanda humanitarian, who was lured onto a private jet in Dubai and delivered to Kigali on 31 August 2020. This was not law enforcement: it was international kidnapping, and we demand his immediate release.
Our Statement on the Death of Kizito Mihigo
The Global Campaign for Rwandans' Human Rights mourns Kizito Mihigo, the gospel singer and genocide survivor who died in a Kigali police cell in February 2020. We do not accept the official account of suicide: we believe he was killed in custody, and we demand an independent investigation.
Our Statement on the Death of Anselme Mutuyimana, Assistant to Victoire Ingabire
Anselme Mutuyimana, assistant to opposition leader Victoire Ingabire, was found dead on the edge of the Gishwati forest on 9 March 2019, days after his release from six years' imprisonment for political activism. We demand an independent investigation.
Statement: Assassination Threat Against Noble Marara in the United Kingdom
Police warned Noble Marara, a former bodyguard of President Kagame now living in the United Kingdom with his family, that a foreign government posed an imminent threat to his life. We condemn this threat and demand protection for him and every Rwandan exile under it.
Our Statement on the Arrest of Presidential Candidate Diane Rwigara
The Global Campaign for Rwandans' Human Rights strongly condemns the arrest of Diane Rwigara, the independent presidential candidate barred from the August 2017 election, on charges of inciting insurrection and forgery. We demand her immediate release and the release of her family members detained with her.
Our Statement on the Death of Jean Damascene Habarugira
Jean Damascene Habarugira, a local FDU-Inkingi representative in Ngoma district, disappeared in May 2017 after being called to a meeting with a local security officer. Days later his family was called to collect his body from Nyamata Hospital.
Rwandan Blogger Dr Joseph Nkusi: Arrested, Jailed and Still Waiting for Norway
Dr Joseph Nkusi was deported from Norway in 2016, arrested on arrival at Kigali and sentenced to ten years in prison. Norway has since recognised its mistake and granted him protection. He is still behind bars.
Our Statement on the Disappearance of Illuminée Iragena
Illuminée Iragena, a member of the opposition FDU-Inkingi party, went missing in Kigali on 26 March 2016 and has never been seen since. Fellow activists fear she was forcibly disappeared and may have died in custody.
Our Statement on the Assassination of Patrick Karegeya in South Africa
Patrick Karegeya, Rwanda's former intelligence chief who became a fearless opposition figure in exile, was strangled to death in a Johannesburg hotel on 1 January 2014. Twelve years on, no one has been held to account. We demand a reopening of the South African investigation and an end to transnational repression.
Statement: The Abduction of Joel Mutabazi in Uganda by Rwandan Agents
Two days after the forcible return of Rwandan refugee Joel Mutabazi became public, we condemn his abduction from a protected safehouse in Kampala and demand that Uganda and Rwanda answer for it.
Our Statement on the Death of Théogène Turatsinze in Mozambique
Théogène Turatsinze, former head of the Development Bank of Rwanda, went missing in Maputo in October 2012. His body was found days later, tied up, in a river near the city, shortly after he was believed to be carrying a list of clandestine payments by top Rwandan officials.
GCRHR Comments on DRC Mapping Exercise Report
The Global Campaign for Rwandans' Human Rights welcomes the UN mapping report on the DRC and calls for a judicial mechanism and a truth commission to end impunity in the African Great Lakes region.
Our Statement on the Assassination of Charles Ingabire, Editor of Inyenyeri News
Charles Ingabire, a Rwandan journalist and editor of Inyenyeri News, was shot dead in Kampala, Uganda, on 30 November 2011, the first Rwandan journalist assassinated in exile. We demand an independent investigation and an end to the persecution of Rwandan journalists abroad.
Our Statement on the Assassination Attempt of René Mugenzi
The Global Campaign for Rwandans' Human Rights confirms that its Chairman, René Mugenzi, was the target of an assassination attempt in London, after police warned in May 2011 that a Rwandan government hitman had been sent to kill him. We demand a full investigation and protection for Rwandan exiles.
Our Statement on the Murder of André Kagwa Rwisereka
André Kagwa Rwisereka, deputy chairman of Rwanda's Democratic Green Party, was found murdered and partially beheaded near Butare on 14 July 2010. The official inquiry into his killing never saw the light of day.
Our Statement on the Assassination of Jean-Léonard Rugambage
Jean-Léonard Rugambage, deputy editor of the banned Umuvugizi newspaper, was shot dead outside his home in Kigali on 24 June 2010, hours after publishing an online article linking Rwandan officials to the attempted murder of General Kayumba Nyamwasa in Johannesburg.