RWANDAN ALLIANCE FOR THE RENAISSANCE OF THE NATION
DECLARATION 004/ 2002:
Imprisonment
of former President Bizimungu and Mr. Ntakirutinka.
The Rwandan alliance for the Renaissance
of the Nation, ARENA, is greatly concerned for the well-being of former
President Bizimungu and Mr. Charles Ntakirutinka, of the party UBUYANJA, who
have been arrested by the Rwandan police on April 19, 2002. Mr. Bizimungu and Mr. Ntakirutinka have been victims of a
relentless campaign of persecutions by the Rwandan government ever since they
formed their political party in 2001. Until
April 19th 2002, the government kept them practically under house
arrest, in the guise of providing them protection, after being brutally attacked
by (government-sponsored) mobs.
The regime’s accusation is that
material aimed at creating divisions among the population was uncovered in Mr.
Bizimungu and Mr. Ntakirutinka’s residences.
This, however, is the same accusation that the government stated for
almost a year, though no charges were filed against them.
In fact, President Kagame and his regime use this same accusation to
silence any and every dissenting political opinion.
ARENA has consistently denounced the
government’s persecution of political opposition and has called upon the
international community to urge President Kagame to free political prisoners and
allow political pluralism. We do so
once more, as we remain convinced that these endless persecutions will lead to
violence and ultimately to a new bloodshed.
Like in all dictatorships, the political
persecutions are becoming increasingly blunt as the 2003 presidential elections
draw near in Rwanda. The ruling
party, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), has been the only party carrying out
political activities throughout the country.
The formation of new political parties capable of mounting a credible
challenge is banned and punished. If
unchecked, such practices will further undermine the effort to bring about
democracy, freedom and justice, which Rwandans desperately need.
We call upon the International community
to condemn the ongoing persecution and pressure Mr. Kagame to release all
political prisoners. We call on the
international community to urge Mr. Kagame to allow political pluralism.
All political parties should be allowed equal rights and equal access to
the population in order to draw all Rwandans into a dialogue aimed at finding a
peaceful solution to the predicaments facing their country.
ARENA strongly believes this to be the only way to bring about lasting
stability and peaceful co-existence among Rwandans.
Failure to do this will lead to the increase in political instability and
further exasperate ethnic tensions. Any
observer of the Rwandan history knows this cannot be afforded.
ARENA strongly urges the International community to act with diligence as time is of the essence
.
April 24th 2002,
For ARENA,
Alexandre Kimenyi
Gratien Rudakubana