Rwanda: Treatment by government authorities of Faustin Twagiramungu and supporters of his candidacy during the presidential election campaign in August 2003 (August 2003 - April 2006)

Background

The most recent presidential election in Rwanda was held on 25 August 2003 (Africa Confidential 29 Aug. 2003, 1; Africa Research Bulletin 25 Sept. 2003, 15400; EU 2003, 3). Faustin Twagiramungu, who was prime minister (AI 22 Aug. 2003; Africa Research Bulletin 25 Sept. 2003, 15400) from July 1994 to August 1995 (ibid.), and who is also an ethnic Hutu (ibid.; Africa Confidential 29 Aug. 2003, 1; Independent 25 Aug. 2003), ran as an independent candidate (EU 2003, 18; Africa Research Bulletin 25 Sept. 2003, 15400; AFP 11 Sept. 2003; AI 4 Sept. 2003). His political party, the Democratic Republican Movement (Mouvement démocratique républicain MDR) had previously been dissolved and banned by government authorities (ibid.; EU 2003, 8; ibid. 22 Aug. 2003). In addition, the Alliance for Democracy, Equity and Progress – Mizero (Alliance pour la démocratie, l'équité et le progress-Mizero ADEP- Mizero), which was going to support him (ibid.; Africa Confidential 29 Aug. 2003; Africa Research Bulletin 25 Sept. 2003, 15400), did not obtain authorization from Rwandan authorities (EU 2003, 4; Africa Confidential 29 Aug. 2003, 1). Faustin Twagiramungu, considered to be Paul Kagame's main rival (EU 2003, 29; AI 22 Aug. 2003), received only 3.62 percent of the vote, far behind Rwandan president Paul Kagame, who received 95.05 percent (Africa Research Bulletin 25 Sept. 2003, 15399; EU 2003, 9; AFP 11 Sept. 2003; AP 12 Sept. 2003).

Treatment of Faustin Twagiramungu and his supporters

During the election campaign, Faustin Twagiramungu, was accused by government forces of promoting ethnic "divisionism" (Independent 25 Aug. 2003; AFP 11 Sept. 2003; EU 2003, 29). In addition, he and his supporters faced intimidation and harassment (AI 22 Aug. 2003; AFP 11 Sept. 2003; Country Reports 2003 Apr. 2004 Sec. 1f). In particular, police forcibly entered and searched Twagiramungu's home (ibid.; AFP 11 Sept. 2003). According to Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2003, a number of the candidate's documents, his computer and his cellular telephone, were confiscated (Apr. 2004, Sec. 1f). The European Union (EU) observers who were present during the election campaign noted in their final report that campaign pamphlets belonging to Twagiramungu were seized on the orders of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) (EU 2003, 29; AI 22 Aug. 2003; see also Africa Confidential 29 Aug. 2003). The report also indicates the following:

[Translation]

Initially, Faustin Twagiramungu held very few meetings because of organizational problems. Beginning on 12 August, his campaign was disrupted by fears of accusations of divisionism and by the lack of authorization from local authorities, who accused the candidate of sending his requests to the wrong authority and of not complying with the time frames set out under the law (for example, Kibuye, meeting was cancelled on 12 August); of failing to provide a fax number where the confirmation of authorization could be sent (meeting cancelled in Kibungo on 18 August); and of changing meeting dates without prior notice (in Biyumba on 19 August and Kigali N'Gali). The meeting scheduled for 14 August in Gikongoro could not take place that day because the NEC had summoned the candidate to come to Kigali to explain some of the allegedly divisionist elements of his campaign. (2003, 30)

Numerous reports indicate that during the election campaign, Twagiramungu's representatives were accused of planning acts of violence and were arrested by security forces (Country Reports 2003 Apr. 2004, Sec. 3; Radio Rwanda 24 Aug. 2003; see also EU 2003, 34; AI 22 Aug. 2003; Independent 25 Aug. 2003). According to Country Reports 2003, most of the people arrested were released once the election was over (Apr. 2004, Sec. 3). No further information on the current treatment of Twagiramungu's supporters from the 2003 presidential election campaign could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

In a 28 May 2006 telephone conversation with the Research Directorate, Twagiramungu's spokesperson in Belgium stated that Twagiramungu, fearing arrest by the Rwandan authorities, left immediately after the election and returned to Belgium, where he has lived with his family since he was removed from his position as prime minister in 1995 (see also Africa Research Bulletin 25 Sept. 2003, 15400).

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 additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Africa Confidential [London]. 29 August 2003. Vol. 44, No. 17. "Rwanda: A Victory Foretold."

Africa Research Bulletin [London]. 25 September 2003. Vol. 40, No. 8. "Rwanda: Kagame Wins Election."

Agence France-Presse (AFP). 11 September 2003. "Police Search Home of Rwandan Opposition Leader Twagiramungu." (Dialog)

Amnesty International (AI). 4 September 2003. "Urgent Action: Further Information on UA 259/03 (AFR 47/011/2003, 1 September 2003) Detention Without Charge/ Incommunicado Detention/Possible Prisoners of Conscience." (AFR 47/012/2003)
_____. 22 August 2003. "Rwanda; Run-Up to Presidential Elections Marred by Threats and Harassment" (AI Index: AFR 47/010/2003).

Associated Press (AP). 12 September 2003. Rodrique Ngowi. "Kagame Sworn in as Rwanda's First Elected President Since 1994 Genocide." (Dialog)

Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2003. April 2004. United States Department of State. "Rwanda," pp.434-440.

Independent [London]. 25 August 2003. Declan Walsh. "Presidential Poll: Kagame Accused of Manipulating Fear to Win New Term as Rwandan Leader Set to Keep Power in Name of Rwanda. In the Name of Unity, Rwanda Fixes Election of Popular Leader Kagame. Tutsis and Hutus Hope to Put Their Genocidal Past Behind Them with a Flawed Election in Which the Opposition is Invisible." (Dialog).

European Union (EU). 2003. Rwanda. Élection présidentielle 25 août. 2003. Élections législatives 29 et 30 septembre, 2 octobre 2003. European Union Election Observation Mission final report. [Accessed 28 Apr. 2006]

Radio Rwanda [Kigali, in French]. 24 August 2003. "Rwanda: Police Arrest 12 Twagiramungu Campaign Agents, Former MP." (BBC Newsfile/Dialog)

Rwanda. 28 May 2006. Telephone conversation with Faustin Twagiramungu's spokesperson in Belgium.

Additional Sources Consulted

Publications : Africa Confidential, Africa Research Bulletin, Jeune Afrique/L'Intelligent, Keesing's Reference Systems, Political Parties of the World, Resource Centre country file.

Internet sites, including: AllAfrica.com, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) News, CIA World Factbook, European Country of Origin Information Network (ECOI.net), Factiva, Fédération internationale des ligues des droits de l'homme (FIDH), Freedom House, Human Rights Watch (HRW), International Crisis Group (ICG), Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), Relief Web, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), United Kingdom Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND), United Nations Security Council, U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants.