The virtual plenary sitting of the Rwanda Senate on Friday, February 12, resolved that the Rwanda Parliament should assess the resolution of the European Parliament on Paul Rusesabagina’s case and swiftly respond to it. Senators said that the issue needs urgent attention, describing the resolution as interference of the European Parliament into Rwanda’s justice system, and that the Parliament should react to it swiftly. Rusesabagina faces various charges including terrorism, arson, and murder that he is alleged to have committed or incited on the Rwandan territory. Rusesabagina is alleged to have been a founder and chief financier of National Liberation Front (FLN), a terror group that has attacked Rwanda, killing innocent civilians. On Thursday, February 11, the European Parliament – a parliamentary institution of the European Union, called for the release of the terror suspect. Senator Cyprien Niyomugabo said that there was a need for Rwanda Parliaments resolution about the European Parliaments action that meddles into Rwanda’s justice [system], concerning Rusesabaginas case. Senate Vice President, Esperance Nyirasafari said that she supports the resolution to speedily analyse the issue of Rusesabagina’s case that the European Parliament assessed. “We should take a stand on that issue, and inform the European Parliament about it in a swift manner,” she said, adding that the way in which that should be done will be determined by the Senate Bureau. Nyirasafari said that much as Rusesabaina’s rights should be observed, the rights of the victims of his deeds, including those who were killed, or whose property was set on fire, should also be observed. “I think this resolution is appropriate because we are talking about human rights; and such rights are not granted to some and not others. All people are entitled to them [equally],” she said. “Those who infringe on them have to be held accountable for it. The victims should get justice,” she observed, adding that Rwanda is a country which is governed by the rule of law. Senator John Bonds Bideri said that for the purpose of solidarity with the countries with which Rwanda has parliamentary diplomacy, once the Parliament writes to the EU legislative body, they should inform the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Parliamentary Assembly, which often work with the European Union Parliament. He said that the Bureau of the Senate and that of the Chamber of Deputies should work together on the issue to consider how to speed up the process to respond to the EU Parliament’s resolution. “I think if it takes long, we might not achieve the result we want,” he said.
