The case of Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza, a leading figure of Rwanda’s democratic opposition, has reached the French National Assembly. On 12 August 2025, a written parliamentary question by MP Sophia Chikirou (La France insoumise – Nouveau Front Populaire) was published in the Journal officiel, calling on the French government to respond to what she described as an “extremely concerning” situation.
Ingabire, who was awarded the 2024 Freedom Prize by Liberal International, has long campaigned for national reconciliation, democracy, and human rights in Rwanda. Over the past 15 years, she has been repeatedly imprisoned for her political positions. On 19 June 2025, she appeared in court during a trial targeting activists accused of discussing non-violent strategies to promote democracy. Shortly after, prosecutors opened an investigation against her, and she has since faced renewed harassment: a home search, the seizure of her communication devices, and smear campaigns.
Her detention has drawn international criticism. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention described it as “illegal and arbitrary,” while Human Rights Watch denounced her arrest as a violation of Rwanda’s international commitments on human rights, including freedom of expression and association.
In her parliamentary question, Chikirou urged the French government to take a clear stance, both bilaterally and within the European Union, to demand respect for Ingabire’s fundamental rights. She called on Paris to press Kigali to ensure the opposition leader’s security and freedom, arguing that France cannot remain silent in the face of political repression in Rwanda.
The intervention underscores growing concern within European institutions about Rwanda’s treatment of political opponents, at a time when the country continues to present itself as a reliable partner on the international stage.
Therwandan
