From Exile to Prison to the UN
Human Rights Timeline
Track the major events in the struggle for human rights in Rwanda: the arrests, the trials, the disappearances, the deaths in custody and the moments when the world answered back. Filter by defender or event type, or search for a name.
Showing 21 events
2026
UN finds Ingabire's re-arrest arbitrary
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found that the detention of opposition leader Victoire Ingabire is arbitrary and in violation of international law, and called for her immediate release and compensation.
Aimable Karasira dies in the state's hands
According to the Rwanda Correctional Service, Aimable Karasira died at Nyarugenge hospital on the very day he was due to walk free after five years behind bars. We do not accept the official account. A critic of the regime dying in the state's hands on the day of his release demands independent scrutiny.
2025
Victoire Ingabire re-arrested
Rwandan police arrested Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza at her home in Kigali on subversion charges, years after her presidential pardon, alongside other members of her DALFA-Umurinzi party. Her only offence is her peaceful political opposition.
2024
UN declares detention of the nine arbitrary
The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention examined the case of nine dissidents arrested for reading a book and ruled their detention arbitrary and in violation of international law, finding they were detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their rights. It called for their immediate release. The Rwandan government ignored the call.
2023
John Williams Ntwali dies in unexplained circumstances
Widely described as Rwanda's last independent journalist, John Williams Ntwali died in Kigali days after appearing in court. The authorities said he was struck by a vehicle. Very few Rwandans believe them. We demand an independent, transparent and internationally supervised investigation.
2022
Aimable Karasira sentenced to seven years
Aimable Karasira was sentenced to seven years in prison after a political trial, punished for speaking to the many Rwandans, at home and in the diaspora, who listened to him.
2021
Nine activists arrested for reading a book
On the eve of Ingabire Day, Rwandan police began arresting nine people for reading and sharing "Blueprint for Revolution", a book on nonviolent resistance by Srdja Popovic. They faced sentences of up to life imprisonment and spent more than three years in pre-trial detention.
Aimable Karasira arrested for his YouTube commentary
Lecturer and citizen journalist Aimable Karasira was arrested for his YouTube commentary on Rwandan politics: poverty, injustice, corruption and fear. His real offence was his audience.
Poet Innocent Bahati disappears
The poet Innocent Bahati left his home in Kigali to meet an unnamed person he had just spoken with on the phone, and was last seen that day in Nyanza district. He has not been seen since. PEN International and writers including Margaret Atwood have called for an investigation. His whereabouts remain unknown.
2020
Kizito Mihigo found dead in a police cell
Three days after being arrested near the border with Burundi, Kizito Mihigo was found dead in a police cell in Kigali. The Rwanda Investigation Bureau said he had taken his own life. Human Rights Watch said the circumstances strongly suggested he was killed in custody. No officer was ever held to account and the inquest findings were never made public.
2018
Diane Rwigara acquitted after a year in prison
A court acquitted Diane Rwigara of inciting insurrection, along with her mother and sister, after more than a year of imprisonment. She had been prosecuted for nothing more than attempting to run for president.
Victoire Ingabire released by presidential pardon
After more than a thousand days in prison, opposition leader Victoire Ingabire was released by presidential pardon. Gospel singer Kizito Mihigo, imprisoned since 2014, was also pardoned during 2018. Neither freedom lasted: both would be targeted again.
2017
Diane Rwigara arrested with her mother and sister
Diane Rwigara was arrested alongside her mother and sister on charges including inciting insurrection, after her attempt to stand for the presidency. Human rights organisations called the charges politically motivated.
Diane Rwigara barred from presidential ballot
Diane Rwigara, a critic of the ruling RPF, was disqualified from the presidential ballot after announcing her candidacy. Her family was subsequently targeted with a campaign of harassment.
2016
African Court rules Rwanda violated Ingabire's rights
The African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights found that Rwanda had violated Victoire Ingabire's right to freedom of expression and that her speech posed no imminent threat to public order. Rwanda later withdrew its declaration allowing citizens to bring cases before the Court.
2014
Kizito Mihigo arrested over his songs
Rwanda's most beloved gospel singer was arrested after songs he had written were interpreted as critical of the regime. He was later sentenced to ten years in prison for conspiracy against the government.
2013
Supreme Court increases Ingabire's sentence to 15 years
The Supreme Court increased Victoire Ingabire's sentence from eight to fifteen years, drawing international criticism from human rights organisations.
2012
Victoire Ingabire sentenced to eight years
A High Court in Kigali sentenced opposition leader Victoire Ingabire to eight years in prison on charges including conspiracy against the government, following a trial widely condemned as political.
2011
Deo Mushayidi sentenced to life imprisonment
Deo Mushayidi was sentenced to life imprisonment after a politically motivated trial. His real offence was his opposition: he was punished for his opinions, not for any crime. He remains in prison.
2010
Victoire Ingabire returns from exile to run for president
Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza returned to Rwanda to stand for the presidency and register her FDU-Inkingi party. She was blocked from registering and arrested within months, beginning years of persecution for her peaceful opposition.
Deo Mushayidi seized in exile
Deo Mushayidi, leader of the PDP-Immana party and a longtime government critic, was seized in Burundi and forcibly returned to Rwanda, in violation of international law.