Rwanda: Ngizwenimana's Family Seeks Justice Amidst Tragic Death

In the night of June 11, 2024, Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) agents raided the home of Mr. Ngizwenimana, a 47-year-old man in Nyabihu, North Western Rwanda; resulting in his tragic death. Ngizwenimana, who was entrusted with the custody of three children whose parents fled Rwanda due to political persecution, was allegedly targeted by authorities to disclose the whereabouts and information about his relatives in exile.

The close informants and family who demanded that their names do not be disclosed to preserve their security, reported that on June 11, men not-in-uniform but armed with pistol guns in came to Ngizwenimana's home alongside the community’s night security men known as “Irondo” at 10pm; they subjected him to severe beatings and also terrorized the children under his care before forcibly taking Ngizwenimana away.  The following day on June 12^th, early in the morning, his wife went to ask the authorities and couldn’t find him. Later, at around midday, his family was informed to collect his lifeless body from a local hospital, with authorities claiming they got the information that he had succumbed to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident the previous night.  This incident occurred amidst preparations for Paul Kagame's upcoming electoral campaign in the region, scheduled for June 23, 2024 in Nyabihu, Ngororero and Rutsiro districts.

The incident, among many others, raises serious concerns over the Rwandan government's tactics in silencing perceived opposition and those connected to dissenting voices. Ngizwenimana's role as a caregiver for the children of exiled relatives made him vulnerable to pressure from authorities seeking information on his relatives. Close informants noted that the relative, whose children were cared for by Mr. Ngizwenimana, had fled Rwanda escaping death threats and multiple imprisonments, allegedly due to his links with opposition activities and work with a regional think tank. Subsequently, his family faced continued threats and persecution to disclose his location and information, prompting his wife to also seek exile, thus leaving their children behind, rotating among various family members' homes, including Ngizwenimana’s.

"This is a blatant act of intimidation and violence targeting individuals for their perceived connections to opposition groups or those critical of the RPF government," said a local human rights activist, speaking on condition of anonymity due to safety concerns. "Ngizwenimana's tragic death underscores the urgent need for independent investigations into all allegations of unjustified killings of innocent Rwandan RPF-critics and their families, which have now become common in Rwanda and abroad."

Calls for justice and accountability should be emphasized both domestically and internationally, and human rights organizations should continue to urge the Rwandan government to uphold its obligations under international law as violent attacks like these intensify. During this particular time when Rwanda prepares for upcoming elections to be held on July 15^th, 2024 concerns over escalating repression and human rights violations continue to mount; and such actions undermine the principles of democracy and freedom of expression in the country.

The international community is urged to closely monitor the situation and demand transparency in the investigations of all atrocities, killing, and any other form of persecution done by RPF towards innocent people like Ngizwenimana; and this is particularly crucial to ensure justice for victims and their families.

veritasinfo