Since her arrest on June 19, 2025, in Kigali, the movement in support of Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza , a prominent figure of the Rwandan opposition has continued to grow across several European capitals. In Berlin, Brussels, and Paris,activists, members of the Rwandan community, and human rights organizations are gathering to demand her immediate release, denouncing what they describe as a politically motivated arrest.
Among the key actors in this mobilization are associations such as Jambo ASBL, the International Network of Women for Democracy and Peace (RIFDP), and opposition political parties like FDU-Inkingi and the RNC, along with human rights defenders. Together, they are working to make their voices heard by international institutions, calling for increased pressure on the Rwandan regime to secure Ingabire’s unconditional release.
Victoire Ingabire, president of the DALFA-Umurinzi party, was arrested by the Rwanda Investigation Bureau (RIB) in connection with a case involving Sylvain Sibomana and several co-defendants. She is facing charges of attempting to form a criminal group and inciting public disorder , accusations that also target other members of her party.
On July 9, the Kicukiro Primary Court opened a hearing concerning her pretrial detention. During the session, Ms. Ingabire raised two objections and expressed her wish to be represented by her Kenyan lawyer.
She explained that her usual counsel, Me Gatera Gashabana, is already representing several other individuals, including nine members of her party charged in a similar case, making it difficult for him to provide her with adequate legal representation.
Me Gashabana, who was present in court, emphasized that the right of any defendant to choose their legal counsel is a fundamental and inalienable right essential to a fair trial.
For its part, the court clarified that it could not rule on the accreditation of the Kenyan lawyer, stating that such decisions fall exclusively within the jurisdiction of the Rwandan Bar Association.
The hearing was adjourned and rescheduled for July 15, 2025, “to avoid any delay detrimental to the course of justice.”
In the meantime, Victoire Ingabire remains in custody at the RIB station in Remera. Growing concerns are being raised about her physical safety, with fears that she may be subjected to inhumane treatment or acts of torture. Against this alarming backdrop, mobilizations have intensified in Paris, Brussels, and Berlin, where her supporters continue to call for her immediate and unconditional release.
Messages from the Protesters: Berlin and Brussels Hand in Hand in Support of Victoire Ingabire
On July 6, a peaceful protest took place at Place du Luxembourg, in front of the European Parliament in Brussels. The slogans demanded the immediate release of Ms. Ingabire, described as a political prisoner.
Ngabire Robertine, an activist from Switzerland and a member of the Rwandan diaspora association Citizen Action for Peace (ACP), stated:
“Rwanda cannot claim to be a champion of women’s rights while imprisoning one of the bravest among them.”
Three days later, on July 11, protesters raised their voices in Berlin. Gathered in front of the German parliament (Bundestag), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Rwandan Embassy, they reiterated their call for the release of Victoire Ingabire.
Other protesters in both Berlin and Brussels also called for the release of Ms. Victoire Ingabire.
“Victoire Ingabire is our heroine, a heroine of democracy in Rwanda and across the region. We demand her immediate release so she can continue supporting the Rwandan people. She is the voice of the people, a voice against injustice,” said Vital Munyurangabo.
Mukasine Libèree added:
“It is outrageous to see that the Rwandan government does not respect human rights principles. We can no longer stay silent. We are fighting for the freedom of expression for every Rwandan. That is why we are here: to tell the world that we are fed up with the injustices in our country. We demand the release of Victoire Ingabire, and that everyone should have the right to freely express their opinions.”
Éric Itangishaka, a political exile in Belgium, gave a moving testimony to Jambo News, emphasizing that the repression orchestrated by the Rwandan regime does not stop at the country’s borders.
That is precisely why he chose to join the mobilization in support of Victoire Ingabire:
“I fled Rwanda to escape persecution by the FPR-Inkotanyi regime, which hunted down its opponents even in distant countries like Mozambique. I found refuge in Belgium, but even here, Rwandan exiles remain in the regime’s crosshairs. Victoire Ingabire is not only the voice of those suffering in Rwanda; she is also our voice, the voice of Rwandan refugees and exiles scattered across the world. That is why I am here today: to demand her release and to make our voices heard.”
Uwera Eugénie, a member of the association Igicumbi, which brings together survivors of the genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi and advocates for human rights, the rule of law in Rwanda, and against the political instrumentalization of the genocide by the Rwandan regime, was present at the protest in support of Victoire Ingabire and also stated:
“Victoire Ingabire is a role model, a heroine for us. She had the courage to stand up for the oppressed and to denounce abuses. Today, she is being persecuted because of this fight against injustice. I am here to call for the release of our heroine and for recognition of her right to engage in politics.”
Mobilization for Victoire Ingabire: The Voices of Organizers Rise Up
As support protests for Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza multiply across Europe, the leaders of the organizations involved are delivering clear and determined messages. All of them denounce what they call a politically motivated arrest and call for solidarity, unity, and action against injustice in Rwanda.
Norman Sinamenye, president of the human rights organization Jambo ASBL, openly condemned the authoritarian drift of the Rwandan regime, reminding that many opponents are currently detained, executed, disappeared, or silenced.
“In Rwanda, reading a book on nonviolent resistance can be punished with imprisonment. This is the level of intolerance we are fighting,” he said.
He named several emblematic figures of this repression, including Aimable Karasira, Cyuma Hassan, Idamange Yvonne, Déogratias Mushayidi, Théoneste Nsengimana, Rashid Kakuzimana, and others , all imprisoned for expressing their opinions and called for their release.
From the FDU-Inkingi political party, the tone is equally firm. Straton Nduwayezu, the party’s representative in Belgium, stated:
“This is the time to unite our forces as Rwandans opposed to the regime. To remain silent or to give up because of the arrest of Victoire Ingabire Umuhoza would be to help the Rwandan government succeed in its goal of silencing and discouraging all opposition.”
Placide Kayumba, president of FDU-Inkingi, confirmed that he had submitted memorandums of understanding to several international institutions — the European Parliament, the United Nations, and the African Union to denounce political repression and demand her immediate release.
He called for global mobilization and continued vigilance:
“Silence in the face of injustice is complicity. We must continue to speak out, denounce, and take action.”
Finally, Marie Louise Gakwaya, coordinator of the International Network of Women for Democracy and Peace (RIFDP) in Belgium, stressed the need for material and financial support to the Victoire for Peace Foundation, which works to defend human rights in Rwanda.
“Victoire is being arbitrarily detained. She is paying the price for her commitment to justice, peace, and democracy,” she emphasized.
She called on the members of Rwandan community and theirs friends to contribute actively, especially through donations to fund Ms. Ingabire’s legal defense and to support the families of her imprisoned or disappeared supporters.
A fundraising campaign was organized at the end of the protest. Those wishing to offer support can contribute via the GoFundMe platform, or by making a direct bank transfer to the Victoire Ingabire Foundation account at BNP Paribas Fortis:
IBAN: BE65 0018 5041 1079 06.
Next Stop: Paris – The peaceful protest Continues
The movement in support of Victoire Ingabire continues. A new protest is scheduled to take place in Paris on July 26, 2025, marking a decisive step in an increasingly organized cross-border mobilization.
This action directly targets France, a strategic partner of Rwanda, calling on Emmanuel Macron’s government to put pressure on Kigali to secure the immediate release of Ms. Ingabire.
Through these mobilizations held in various European capitals, a collective voice is rising to denounce the injustices and authoritarian drift of the Rwandan regime, and to demand respect for fundamental human rights.
Since her first arrest in 2010, Victoire Ingabire has embodied a peaceful opposition based on non-violent resistance, the pursuit of justice, unity, and reconciliation grounded in truth. She also advocates for the dignified return of refugees and represents the hope for a truly democratic Rwanda.
Prudence NSENGUMUKIZA
