Brussels, 10 September 2025 – The European Parliament has adopted a joint resolution strongly condemning the arrest of Rwandan opposition leader Victoire Ingabire, who was detained on 19 June in Kigali. Accused of “forming a criminal group” and “planning to incite public disorder,” the former political prisoner firmly denies the charges, which MEPs describe as politically motivated.
A Targeted Opposition Figure
Victoire Ingabire, president of the DALFA-Umurinzi party, has long been one of the most outspoken critics of Paul Kagame’s government. In 2010, she was sentenced to prison following what the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights later deemed an unfair trial. She spent eight years in detention before being pardoned in 2018. Her latest arrest, the Parliament warns, is part of a wider crackdown on opponents, journalists, and civil society actors in Rwanda.
MEPs also recalled that at least five members of Ingabire’s former party, FDU-Inkingi, have died or disappeared since 2017. They further condemned the persistent threats against independent media and the severe restrictions imposed on civil society.
An Emotional Moment in Strasbourg
The session was marked by a poignant moment: two of Victoire Ingabire’s children were present in the chamber when the resolution was adopted. Their presence gave a human face to the repression in Rwanda, highlighting the personal and family toll of political persecution and amplifying the emotional resonance of the debate.
Repeated Human Rights Violations
In its resolution, the European Parliament expressed “serious concern at the pattern of abuse” and called for the immediate and unconditional release of Victoire Ingabire and all other political figures imprisoned for peacefully exercising their fundamental rights. It also demanded that politically motivated charges be dropped.
MEPs noted that Ingabire’s ongoing trial is marred by serious irregularities. They urged Rwanda to accredit the legal team she has chosen, to accept the jurisdiction of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and to comply fully with its rulings, including a 2019 order for reparations.
Mounting Pressure on Kigali
The resolution urges the Rwandan authorities to end harassment and arbitrary arrests of opposition members and journalists, to guarantee media freedom, and to open genuine space for political debate and democratic participation. It also calls for independent investigations into the unresolved killings and enforced disappearances of opposition figures.
The Parliament further invited EU and Member State delegations in Kigali to monitor judicial proceedings and visit those arbitrarily detained. It called on the European Commission to review existing cooperation programmes, such as support to Rwanda’s justice sector, where institutions are implicated in arbitrary detention, torture, or unfair trials.
Finally, the resolution insists that all political dialogue and EU aid to Rwanda must be conditional on respect for human rights, democracy, and fair trial standards.
