Rwanda: The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR), including its structure, leaders, objectives and activities, and the documents issued to members; relations between members and the authorities (2013-November 2017)

1. The Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR)

For information on the origins of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR) and its activities leading up to March 2012, please consult the Response to Information Request RWA104034 of March 2012.

Sources report that the DGPR is the only officiallyrecognized opposition party in Rwanda (AFP 14 July 2017; RFI 18 Dec. 2016). According to Freedom House, the party does not hold any seats in the Rwandan parliament (Freedom House 12 July 2017). Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2016 from the United States (US) Department of State indicates that the DGPR is not represented in the cabinet (US 3 Mar. 2017, 28).

1.1 Objectives

According to the DGPR website, the party's main objective is to "bring about a real 'genuine and authentic' political opposition in the country" through democratic and ecological means (DGPR n.d.a). The party describes itself as follows:

DGPR is a people's party, striving for a progressive people's democracy, the type of democracy that will ensure all Rwandans are able to freely live in their country without fear and enjoy all their rights as provided for in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and other related international laws, rules and democratic principles. (DGPR n.d.a)

The DGPR sets out its tenpoint political platform on its website:

[DGPR English version]

As Green Democrats, we believe:

1. Non-violence and peaceful means of conflict resolution are the best solutions to national problems.
2. Social Justice and equal opportunity while focusing on personal and social responsibility guarantees a better future.
3. We believe in consulting citizens and requesting for their opinion on major policy matters before taking decisions [1]. Participatory Democracy is rooted in community practice at the grassroots level. Citizens have the power and Government exists to serve them.
4. Unity and reconciliation of Rwandans should be promoted and ethnic politics be rejected.
5. Promotion of agricultural production. The Government must subsidize prices for agricultural produce [2]. We should also balance the interests of a regulated market economy and community-based economics.
6. Government must take special care to protect and defend the rights of the innocent and defenseless members of our society.
7. Government must practice fiscal responsibility, limit taxation and control spending. Progressive taxation should be encouraged [3].
8. No citizen is above the law, all Rwandans have equal rights.
9. Government exists to protect and ensure the unalienable rights of the people, which include the right to life, liberty, peaceful assembly, expression, worship and the pursuit of happiness.
10. Our unalienable rights are granted to us by God. (DGPR 10 Mar. 2011)

1.2 Leaders and Structure

According to sources, Frank Habineza is the President of the DGPR (RFI 21 July 2017; AFP 14 July 2017). Some sources describe him as "an environmentalist" (AFP 1 Aug. 2017; DW 15 July 2017). According to sources, he is also the chairman of the African Greens [4] (RFI 21 July 2017; AGF 23 Apr. 2017). Sources report that he served as assistant to the Rwandan minister of lands and environment in Paul Kagame's government (DW 15 July 2017; DGPR n.d.b) from 2005 to 2006 (DGPR n.d.b).

Other sources report that Jean-Claude Ntezimana is the DGPR's secretarygeneral (The East African 25 Dec. 2016; Global Greens n.d.). An August 2016 article in the French daily Le Monde mentions that Carine Maombi is the VicePresident and that Florence Mukobwahana is the Treasurer of the DGPR (Le Monde 10 Aug. 2016). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

The weekly Kenyan newspaper, The East African, noted in December 2016 that the DGPR had some 200,000 members from 18 of the country's 30 districts, but did not specify which ones (The East African 25 Dec. 2016). However, in March 2017, Reuters reported that Frank Habineza stated that his party has about 500,000 members (Reuters 19 Mar. 2017). A September 2015 article by Deutsche Welle (DW) states that the party has offices in "most parts of the country" (DW 9 Sept. 2015).

A DGPR publication dated 21 March 2017, describes the congress as follows:

The congress had party representatives from all the thirty districts and four provinces plus the city of Kigali. Each district and province is represented by six executive committee members and five advisors. All members of the Central Executive Committee, National Executive Committee and the political bureau also compose the party's national congress. (DGPR 21 Mar. 2017)

1.3 Documents Issued to Members

Information on documents issued to members of the DGPR could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

1.4 Activities

According to sources, the DGPR was registered as an official political party in August 2013 (PHW 2015, 1227; Human Rights Watch 12 Aug. 2013). Human Rights Watch adds that this was the culmination of four years of effort (Human Rights Watch 12 Feb. 2016). Sources report that the DGPR did not participate in the parliamentary elections in 2013 due to a lack of time (AFP 1 Aug. 2017; PHW 2015, 1227; Human Rights Watch 12 Aug. 2013). According to the US Country Reports 2016, "[a]uthorities, however, granted the registration just one working day before candidate lists for the 2013 Chamber of Deputies elections were due, and the DGPR was unable to register candidates for the election" (US 3 Mar. 2017, 27). The same source reports that, according to the DGPR's leaders, the party was nevertheless authorized to publish policy proposals as alternatives to the policies of the Rwandan Patriotic Front (FPR) [ruling political party] and to hold small meetings with its supporters (US 3 Mar. 2017, 27). Corroborating information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Sources indicate that in 2014 Jean Damascène Munyeshyaka, the DGPR National Secretary, was reported missing after being asked to meet an unknown person in the city of Nyamata, in the district of Bugesera, and that his fate is still unknown (US 3 Mar. 2017, 27; Amnesty International 7 July 2017, 15). Additional information about the fate of Jean Damascène Munyeshyaka could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

According to sources, in 2015 the DGPR opposed the proposed amendments to the Rwandan Constitution that would allow President Kagame to run for a third term as a candidate in the August 2017 presidential elections (AFP 1 Aug. 2017; Human Rights Watch Jan. 2017). For information on the DGPR's involvement in these events, please consult the Response to Information Request RWA105733 of January 2017.

According to sources, in March 2016 the DGPR threatened to boycott the 2017 elections unless the government agreed to its demands for reforms (Amnesty International 22 Feb. 2017; The East African 25 Dec. 2016). According to The East African, the party asked for amendments to the election law to guarantee more transparency and confidence in the National Electoral Commission (The East African 25 Dec. 2016). Amnesty International reports that the Rwanda Governance Board rejected this demand in September 2016 (Amnesty International 22 Feb. 2017).

Sources report that Frank Habineza was nominated on December 17, 2016, as the DGPR candidate for the August 2017 presidential elections (Amnesty International 7 July 2017, 9; RFI 18 Dec. 2016). According to AFP, [translation] "his candidacy… was confirmed by the electoral commission only a few days before the start of the campaign" (AFP 14 July 2017).

Sources report that three candidates were authorized to run in the presidential elections in August 2017: Kagame, Frank Habineza and an independent candidate, Philippe Mpayimana (Xinhua News Agency16 July 2017; DW 15 July 2017). Sources point out that the two opposition candidates are not well known, have limited financial resources and are unlikely to defeat Kagame (RFI 22 July 2017; AFP 14 July 2017). In an article dated 14 July 2017, the AFP cites Robert Mugabe, [translation] "one of the rare Rwandan journalists who is openly critical" as stating that "these candidates are only 'a façade' opposition, put there for the benefit of the international community" (AFP 14 July 2017). In an article dated 1 August 2017, the same source states that observers see "the opposition candidates as a front to appease Western donors and give the impression that democracy is alive and well in Rwanda" (AFP 1 Aug. 2017). On 9 August 2017, the Human Rights Foundation (HRF), a "nonpartisan nonprofit organization that promotes and protects human rights globally, with a focus on closed societies" (HRF n.d.) condemns the "façade presidential election" of Kagame and laments the fact that Frank Habineza was not able to compete on an even footing with the regime (HRF 9 Aug. 2017).

International media articles report small gatherings of a few hundred DGPR supporters in some districts of Rwanda during the July 2017 electoral campaign (RFI 22 July 2017; Xinhua News Agency16 July 2017).

According to results published by the National Electoral Commission on 4 August 2017, Kagame received 98.63 percent of votes, Philippe Mpayimana, 0.73 percent and Frank Habineza, 0.47 percent (Xinhua News Agency 6 Aug. 2017; DW 5 Aug. 2017).

2. Relations Between Members and the Authorities

For information on how members of the DGPR were treated between 2015 and January 2017, please consult the Response to Information Request RWA105733 of January 2017.

In its January 2017 Annual Report, Human Rights Watch writes that [Human Rights Watch EN version] "[t]he DGPR and several unregistered opposition parties continue to face serious challenges, including arrests and harassment of members, preventing them from functioning effectively" (Human Rights Watch Jan. 2017). According to the same source, Frank Habineza states that he experienced [Human Rights Watch EN version] "harassment, threats, and intimidation" after announcing his candidacy for the 2017 elections (Human Rights Watch 18 Aug. 2017). In a July 2017 article, The East African reports, without providing further details, that Frank Habineza contends that his supporters in the districts of Gicumbi, Gisagara and Nyamasheke were subjected to harassment and arrests (The East African 2 July 2017). The same source points out that the opposition candidates, including the DGPR candidate, report arrests and threats against their supporters by "purported security agents and local authorities" (The East African 2 July 2017). Other sources report that the DGPR claims to be subjected to threats and intimidation from its fellow citizens and the local authorities (The Economist 15 July 2017) or from the ruling party (Reuters 19 Mar. 2017).

In an article dated 2 July 2017, The East African notes the following:

As campaigns to elect a new president for Rwanda gather pace, the role of local government officials who also double as agents of the ruling Rwanda Patriotic Front is once again coming into focus with opposition candidates alleging harassment. (The East African 2 July 2017)

According to Radio France internationale (RFI), during a press conference after the election, Frank Habineza denounced [translation] "'the conflict of interest between government structures and FPR structures'" (RFI 6 Aug. 2017).

Sources report that Frank Habineza criticized the attitude of local authorities toward the DGPR during the election campaign for [translation] "hassling" the DGPR (RFI 6 Aug. 2017) and for their "lack of cooperation" (BBC 6 Aug. 2017). According to sources, local authorities prevented the DGPR from holding meetings (RFI 6 Aug. 2017; Human Rights Watch 12 Feb. 2016, 13). RFI reports that, during an interview in July 2017, Frank Habineza accused local authorities of forcing him to cancel a meeting earlier that week (RFI 22 July 2017). The same source adds that, following that disruption and other incidents involving the independent candidate Philippe Mpayimana, [translation] "the police announced … the arrest of two local authorities and issued a reminder on its Twitter account that the rights of 'all candidates' for the presidential election had to be respected" (RFI 22 July 2017). According to sources, the local authorities also incite members of the DGPR to leave the party by threatening their jobs and their social protection (The Economist 15 July 2017; US 3 Mar. 2017). In a March 2017 article, Reuters reports that Frank Habineza accused the party in power of pressuring its supporters to join it (Reuters 19 Mar. 2017). Reuters adds, however, that a senator, who is a commissioner in the ruling party, was questioned on the matter and he stated that Frank Habineza was lying (Reuters 19 Mar. 2017).

According to The East African, after opposition candidates filed complaints with the Ministry of Local Government, the police and the National Electoral Commission during the election campaign, Kagame condemned the actions of local authorities and added that the persons involved must be held accountable regardless of whether or not they were members of the FPR (The East African 2 July 2017). Corroborating or additional information could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Notes

[1] This sentence only appears in the English version of DGPR website.

[2] The first two sentences of item 5 only appear in the English version of DGPR website.

[3] This sentence only appears in the English version of DGPR website.

[4] The African Greens Federation (AGF) is a coalition of green and ecology parties from 30 African countries that was launched in Uganda in 2010 and whose principal objective is to lead the green parties to power in those countries (RTB 22 July 2012).

References

Agence France-Presse (AFP). 1 August 2017. "Frank Habineza : A Rare Critical Voice in Rwanda." [Accessed 20 Oct. 2017]

Agence France-Presse (AFP). 14 July 2017. "Présidentielle au Rwanda : l'opposition dans une bataille jouée d'avance." [Accessed 26 Oct. 2017]

African Green Federation (AGF). 23 April 2017. "Report of the African Green Federation Meeting in Liverpool." [Accessed 25 Oct. 2017]

Amnesty International. 7 July 2017. Le contexte des élections: deux décennies de répression contre la dissidence au Rwanda (AFR 47/6585/2017). [Accessed 20 Oct. 2017]

Amnesty International. 22 February 2017. "Rwanda." Rapport 2016/17: la situation des droits humains dans le monde. [Accessed 20 Oct. 2017]

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 6 August 2017. BBC Monitoring. "Another Rwanda Presidential Candidate Concedes Defeat." (Factiva) [Accessed 20 Oct. 2017]

Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR). 21 March 2017. "DGPR Congress Confirmed Rwanda Presidential Candidate and Political Program." [Accessed 20 Oct. 2017]

Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR). 10 March 2011. Frank Habineza. "Programme politique du parti." [Accessed 19 Oct. 2017]

Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR). N.d.a. "About the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda." [Accessed 19 Oct. 2017]

Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR). N.d.b. "Frank Habineza's Profile." [Accessed 31 Oct. 2017]

Deutsche Welle (DW). 5 August 2017. "Rwanda's Longtime President Paul Kagame Wins Third Presidential Term." [Accessed 19 Oct. 2017]

Deutsche Welle (DW). 15 July 2017. Nasra Bishumba and Sella Oneko. "Rwanda Presidential Election Campaign Kicks Off." [Accessed 19 Oct. 2017]

Deutsche Welle (DW). 9 September 2015. Jesko Johannsen. "Fighting for Recognition: Political Opposition in Rwanda." [Accessed 25 Oct. 2017]

The East African. 2 July 2017. "Rwandan Opposition Cries Foul, Cites Threats." [Accessed 26 Oct. 2017]

The East African. 25 December 2016. "Green Party Man to Face President Kagame in 2017 Election." [Accessed 19 Oct. 2017]

The Economist. 15 July 2017. "Rwanda and its President Paul Kagame, Feted and Feared." [Accessed 19 Oct. 2017]

Europa World. N.d. "Democratic Green Party." [Accessed 19 Oct. 2017]

Freedom House. 12 July 2017. "Rwanda." Freedom in the World 2017. [Accessed 20 Oct. 2017]

Global Greens. N.d. "Democratic Green Party of Rwanda." [Accessed 19 Oct. 2017]

Human Rights Foundation (HRF). 9 August 2017. "Press Release - Rwanda: HRF Condemns Kagame on Façade Election." [Accessed 30 Oct. 2017]

Human Rights Foundation (HRF). N.d. "About Us." [Accessed 31 Oct. 2017]

Human Rights Watch. 18 August 2017. "Rwanda : des élections politiquement verrouillées." [Accessed 20 Oct. 2017]

Human Rights Watch. January 2017. "Rwanda." Rapport mondial 2017. [Accessed 31 Oct. 2017]

Human Rights Watch. 12 February 2016. "Contribution au 4e Examen périodique du Rwanda par le Comité des droits de l'homme [press release]". [Accessed 26 Oct. 2017]

Human Rights Watch. 12 August 2013. "Rwanda : le Parti vert enfin reconnu - mais que cela signifie-t-il vraiment?" [Accessed 26 Oct. 2017]

Le Monde. 10 August 2016. "Au Rwanda, les opposants se font discrets." [Accessed 20 Oct. 2017]

Political Handbook of the World 2015 (PHW). 2015. "Rwanda." Edited by Thomas Lansford. Washington, DC: CQ Press.

Reuters. 19 March 2017. "Rwanda's Tiny Opposition Picks Candidate to Oppose Kgame in August Poll." [Accessed 20 Oct. 2017]

Radio France internationale (RFI). 6 August 2017. "Rwanda : la commission électorale confirme la large victoire de Kagame." [Accessed 20 Oct. 2017]

Radio France internationale (RFI). 22 July 2017. "Présidentielle au Rwanda : le Parti démocratique vert en meeting." [Accessed 20 Oct. 2017]

Radio France internationale (RFI). 21 July 2017. Sabine Cessou. "Quelle chance pour les partis verts en Afrique?" [Accessed 20 Oct. 2017]

Radio France internationale (RFI). 18 December 2016. "Rwanda : le président du parti démocratique vert en lice pour la présidentielle." [Accessed 20 Oct. 2017]

Radio Télévision du Burkina (RTB). 22 July 2012. Dramane Guene. "Lancement [officiel] du siège social de la Fédération des verts d'Afrique." [Accessed 30 Oct. 2017]

United States (US). 3 March 2017. Department of State. "Rwanda." Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2016. [Accessed 19 Oct. 2017]

Xinhua News Agency. 6 August 2017. "Rwandan Electoral Commission Declares Kagame as Winner, Citing Provisional Results." [Accessed 20 Oct. 2017]

Xinhua News Agency. 16 July 2017. "Rwanda : le candidat de l'opposition à la présidence parvient à attirer l'attention." [Accessed 20 Oct. 2017]

Additional Sources Consulted

Internet sites, including: ecoi.net; International Crisis Group; IRIN; Rwanda – government website, National Electoral Commission; Transparency International; United Nations – Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Refworld.