On the case of Victoire Ingabire in Rwanda

B100397/2025

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

(2025/2861(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard its previous resolutions on Rwanda, in particular the European Parliament resolution of 6 October 2016 on the case of Victoire Ingabire,

having regard to the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights judgment of 2017 finding Rwanda in violation of Victoire Ingabire's rights and order of 2019 for Rwanda to pay reparations to Victoire Ingabire,

having regard to the East African Court of Justice case filed by Victoire Ingabire in 2024 seeking restoration of civil rights,

having regard to the fourteenth consecutive award of the Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza Prize for Democracy and Peace by the International Women's Network for Democracy and Peace (RIFDP) on 22 March 2025,

having regard to the condemnation statements by Human Rights Watch, World Liberty Congress, and RIFDP regarding Victoire Ingabire's June 2025 arrest,

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

whereas the AfCHPR ruled in 2017 that Rwanda violated Victoire Ingabire's freedom of expression and right to fair trial, finding no evidence she minimized the genocide;

whereas despite this ruling, Victoire Ingabire was only released from prison in September 2018 through presidential clemency after 8 years of imprisonment;

whereas the African Court ordered Rwanda in 2019 to pay full reparations to Victoire Ingabire within six months for rights violations;

whereas since 2017, five members of her FDU-Inkingi party have died or disappeared, and Ingabire faces regular intimidation;

whereas Ingabire filed a case with the East African Court of Justice in 2024 seeking restoration of her civil rights including electoral participation;

whereas on 19 June 2025, Victoire Ingabire was arrested again by Rwandan authorities at the Rwanda Investigation Bureau headquarters on charges of inciting public disorder and forming a criminal organization;

Strongly condemns the arrest of Victoire Ingabire on 19 June 2025 on charges of inciting public disorder and forming a criminal organization; considers this latest detention part of systematic political persecution that contradicts Rwanda's international human rights obligations;

Calls on Rwanda to immediately release Victoire Ingabire, cease all forms of harassment against opposition figures, and restore the political space necessary for genuine democratic participation;

Expresses deep concern at the continued persecution, arrests and regular intimidation campaigns against supporters of Victoire Ingabire;

Welcomes the African Court on Human and Peoples' Rights' 2017 ruling that vindicated Victoire Ingabire, finding Rwanda violated her freedom of expression and right to fair trial; calls on Rwanda to fully comply with the Court's 2019 order for complete reparations;

Urges Rwanda to accept the African Court's jurisdiction and respect international human rights mechanisms; calls on Rwanda to accredit selected legal team of Victoire Ingabire;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, HR/VP Kaja Kallas the UN Security Council, the UN Secretary General, the institutions of the African Union, East African Community, and the President of Rwanda.