Your assistance is desperately needed to help bring an international hero home to his family. There are contacts for you to reach out to at the end of this message, as well as information for social media. Please send this out to your network – we need all the support we can get to help #FreeRusesabagina.
Paul Rusesabagina is an internationally revered humanitarian hero whose bravery during the Rwandan Genocide was depicted in Hotel Rwanda. He is a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, a devoted advocate for peace and human rights, and a critic of authoritarianism. Last weekend, he was the victim of extraordinary rendition and was brought illegally to Rwanda. He has been falsely accused of terrorism charges. We are still actively seeking more details, but we know this: the Rwandan government is releasing almost no information and deliberately interfering with his right to a fair trial. What’s more – since Paul is a Belgian citizen who did not voluntarily come to Rwanda and no extradition process was followed, any legal proceedings he’s subjected to in Rwanda would be illegal.
Rusesabagina’s family is extremely concerned for his well being, and is pleading with the international community to get involved. “Paul is a cancer survivor and heart patient who requires daily medication,” said a spokesperson for the family. His family has not had any contact with him since his disappearance. They have requested to visit him immediately, to make certain that he is safe, and to ensure his swift release.
Whether you are in the US, Europe or anywhere in the world, you can help. Signing this petition is the first step – it shows that the international community is united in our outrage over Paul Rusesabagina’s capture and our desire to have him compassionately released. After you’ve signed this petition, please contact your government, the UN Human Rights High Commissioner, and the Rwandan Ambassador in your country.
If you are in the US, you can begin by calling/emailing your Senators and Congressional Representative, then if you have time go through the following contacts:
Your Congressman: Use LOOKUP to find your Representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives
Your Senators: SORT BY STATE to find your Senators: https://www.senate.gov/senators/contact
White House switchboard: 202-456-1414 – Call them and tell President Trump to call the Rwandan government
Rwandan Ambassador to the United States Professor Mathilde Mukantabana – Ph: (202) 232-2882 // E: info@rwandaembassy.org
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet – infodesk@ohchr.org
If you’re in Europe and especially Belgium (where Paul is a citizen), please contact:
Ms. Luisa Ragher, Head of Division, EU Office of Human Rights – Ph: +32-2564-4954 // E: Luisa.ragher@eeas.europa.eu
Belgian Foreign Minister Philippe Goffin – Ph: +32-2501-8111 // contact@diplobel.fed.be