Calling on the Government of the Republic of Rwanda to Release Paul Rusesabagina on Humanitarian Grounds
Floor Speech
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Ms. MANNING. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 892) calling on the Government of the Republic of Rwanda to release Paul Rusesabagina on humanitarian grounds, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
The text of the resolution is as follows: H. Res. 892
Whereas, in August 2020, Rwandan political activist Paul Rusesabagina, a United States lawful permanent resident and a Presidential Medal of Freedom Honoree, was extrajudicially transferred from Texas to Kigali, Rwanda, by way of the United Arab Emirates, and subjected to an enforced disappearance for three days before the Government of the Republic of Rwanda acknowledged his detention, during which time he was reportedly tortured;
Whereas, in December 2020, more than 36 Members of Congress wrote to President Paul Kagame to urge him to return Paul Rusesabagina to the United States and expressed grave concern with the manner in which the Government of Rwanda extrajudicially transferred Mr. Rusesabagina from the United Arab Emirates to Rwanda and then immediately placed him in solitary confinement and charged him with multiple crimes;
Whereas, on February 11, 2021, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on ``Rwanda, the case of Paul Rusesabagina'', which in part ``[e]xpresses deep concern about the violations of Mr Rusesabagina's rights; urges the Rwandan authorities to allow Mr Rusesabagina to undergo a fair and public hearing by a competent, independent and impartial tribunal applying international human rights standards . . .'';
Whereas the American Bar Association's Center for Human Rights' June 2021 report ``The Case of Paul Rusesabagina'' concluded that, ``it is clear that Mr. Rusesabagina's fair trial rights - in particular his right to confidential communication, his right to the presumption of innocence, and his right to prepare his defense - have been violated, potentially to the irreparable prejudice of the defense, calling into question the fairness of any potential convicting verdict'';
Whereas, on September 20, 2021, the High Court of Rwanda convicted Paul Rusesabagina of terrorism-related offences and he was sentenced to 25 years in prison;
Whereas United States Department of State Spokesman Ned Price announced on September 20, 2021, that the United States Government is ``concerned by the Government of Rwanda's conviction of U.S. lawful permanent resident Paul Rusesabagina'' and stated that the ``reported lack of fair trial guarantees calls into question the fairness of the verdict'';
Whereas, on October 7, 2021, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on ``The case of Paul Rusesabagina in Rwanda'', which ``[c]alls for the immediate release of Mr Rusesabagina on humanitarian grounds and for his repatriation without prejudice to his guilt or innocence; demands that the EU Delegation to Rwanda and the diplomatic representations of the Member States strongly convey this request in their exchanges with the Rwandan authorities'';
Whereas on May 19, 2022, the Department of State determined that Paul Rusesabagina was ``wrongfully detained'', and that ``the determination took into account the totality of the circumstances, notably the lack of fair trial guarantees during his trial'', pursuant to the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking Accountability Act (Public Law 116-260); and
Whereas Paul Rusesabagina is a cancer survivor and suffers from a cardiovascular disorder and his family states that he has missed multiple medical appointments, including cancer screenings: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) calls on the Government of Rwanda to immediately release Paul Rusesabagina on humanitarian grounds and permit him to return safely to the United States;
(2) calls on the Government of Rwanda to ensure Paul Rusesabagina receives access to appropriate, qualified medical professionals and all medical care necessary to guarantee his physical integrity and psychological well- being;
(3) urges the United States Government in all interactions with the Government of Rwanda to raise the case of Paul Rusesabagina and to press for his immediate release on humanitarian grounds; and
(4) expresses support to the family of Paul Rusesabagina and their commitment to bringing Paul Rusesabagina home.
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Ms. MANNING. Res. 892, as amended, calling on the Government of the Republic of Rwanda to release Paul Rusesabagina on humanitarian grounds.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Res. 892, which calls for the release of Paul Rusesabagina on humanitarian grounds.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague, Chairman Castro, for drafting this important measure.
Nearly 30 years ago, Paul Rusesabagina, a Belgian citizen and permanent resident of the United States, risked his life to protect more than a thousand people during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. In honor of his singular and valiant actions during one of the worst human rights crises and mass murders in history, he was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
In August 2020, Paul Rusesabagina boarded a plane in the UAE that he believed was headed to Burundi only to arrive in the capital of Rwanda and be arrested by Rwandan authorities under dubious terrorism-related charges.
In September, despite a lack of due process and fair trial, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison. He has been placed in solitary confinement and charged with numerous crimes of no credence.
The Rwandan Government's unlawful actions, including the extrajudicial transfer of Mr. Rusesabagina from the UAE to Rwanda and his deteriorating medical condition while detained, are of great concern.
The Department of State has now determined that he was wrongfully detained pursuant to the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage- Taking Accountability Act. As such, this resolution calls for the immediate release and return of Mr. Rusesabagina on humanitarian grounds.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the administration to raise the case of Mr. Rusesabagina in all interactions with the Rwandan Government and continue to press for his immediate release on humanitarian grounds.
Mr. Speaker, Paul Rusesabagina's history and circumstances as a war hero wrongfully detained and denied adequate medical care is one that we cannot ignore. Congress must stand with Paul Rusesabagina's family who have not wavered in championing his legacy and calling attention to his plight to call for his immediate release and return to the United States on humanitarian grounds.
Mr. Speaker, I, again, thank Chairman Castro for his leadership on this resolution. I urge all my colleagues to join us by voting in the affirmative, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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