Victoire Ingabire’s international legal team has expressed deep concern over recent public statements made by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, describing them as a direct threat to her safety. The comments, made during a public address last weekend, have heightened fears for Ingabire, a prominent opposition figure and head of the unregistered DALFA-Umurinzi political party.
Speaking at the 17th annual meeting of Unity Club, an organization comprising current and former government officials and their spouses, President Kagame criticized unnamed individuals who, according to him, were undermining Rwanda’s progress. Although he did not explicitly mention Ingabire, her lawyers believe his words were directed at her.
“There are those we pardoned after freeing them from prison. You know them… Some are even glorified by outsiders, praised as heroes of democracy. But as far as the country’s survival and the wellbeing of Rwandans are concerned, there is a limit to such actions,” Kagame said. He added that efforts to destabilize Rwanda “will face appropriate consequences.”
Ingabire’s lawyers point to these remarks as part of a broader pattern of inflammatory rhetoric. They note that Kagame had previously referred to her in July, labeling her as the daughter of a génocidaire and warning that her case would not end well. These earlier comments were made during a meeting with social media influencers in the run-up to the presidential elections.
In their statement issued Tuesday, the lawyers argued that these comments should be considered in the context of numerous reports documenting alleged harassment, illegal arrests, torture, enforced disappearances, and killings of Ingabire’s colleagues or associates. They also emphasized that such remarks could embolden individuals or groups to target her.
“President Kagame’s words incite and legitimize acts of violence against our client,” the statement said. They added that Ingabire remains under heavy restrictions, unable to leave Rwanda due to a travel ban. Requests for her to visit her family in Europe, where her critically ill husband resides, have reportedly been ignored.
The legal team urged the Rwandan government to guarantee Ingabire’s safety, publicly denounce any threats against her, and lift her travel restrictions so she can reunite with her family. They warned that the government would bear responsibility should anything happen to her.
Rwandan authorities have not publicly responded to the lawyers’ statement. Historically, the government has dismissed similar allegations by human rights organizations as baseless and attempts to tarnish Rwanda’s reputation.
Ingabire, a former political prisoner who served eight years in jail for charges including threatening state security, has long been a polarizing figure in Rwanda’s political landscape. Since her release in 2018 through a presidential pardon, she has continued to advocate for democracy and human rights, often clashing with the government.
Her lawyers stressed that the recent remarks represent a dangerous escalation. “Our client’s safety is in jeopardy, particularly because she is confined within Rwanda, where her movements are closely monitored. We call on the international community to hold the Rwandan government accountable and ensure that Victoire Ingabire is protected.”
Therwandan
