The Fall of a Dictatorship Requires Sacrifices

The question of Rwandan refugees and the application of cessation close is a serious matter of concern.

(BRUSSELS) - Over the weekend of July 30th and 31st there was a joint meeting between the FDU-INKINGI and the Rwandan National Congress in Brussels. This joint meeting was to discuss a number of topic related to the stability within Rwanda and to have attendees speak and learn from the speakers on issues related to the Rwandan community in Europe. There were around 500 attendees from all over the world with speaker from both sides with the common goal of seeking peace and justice within Rwanda.

Below is the press release submitted at the conclusion of the meeting:

31st July 2011

PRESS RELEASE

FDU-INKINGI & RNC PUBLIC MEETING IN BRUSSELS, MOMENTUM FOR CHANGE.

This is mostly a gratitude message to the Rwandan community in Europe that attended today public meeting in Brussels. Around 500 people responded to our call and actively took part in the debates.
The agenda for change has taken the necessary momentum.

Dr Nkiko Nsengimana. Dr Theogene Rudasingwa, Paul Rusesabagina, Joseph Bukeye, Michel Niyibizi, Dr Emmanuel Mwiseneza, Dr Gerald Gahima, Charles Ndereyehe, Lieutenant General Kayumba Nyamwasa, Jonathan Musonera, Joseph Ngarambe, Alice Muhirwa, Sylvain Sibomana were the key speakers.

On behalf of civil society, Ambassador Jean Marie Vianney Ndagijimana presented COVIGLA advocacy project in favor of all survivals and victims of waves of tragedies and humanitarian crimes that regularly occur in the Great Lakes region.

Mr Jean Baptiste Ryumugabe and Mr Gerard Karangwa Semushi respectively representatives of the Parti Social Imberakuri and PDP Imanzi addressed the public as well.

- Regarding the campaign "Free Victoire Ingabire" and other political leaders, the meeting praised their courage, dedication and promised to keep the light lit until freedom. The meeting invited Rwandans inside and outside Rwanda to stand up and make the change a reality by supporting our calls for democracy, justice, genuine reconciliation, durable peace and freedom.
- The meeting analysed the current political situation in Rwanda and noticed that all the signs of the last days of the regime are clear and that Rwandans need to be ready for the democratic change.

The fall of all dictatorships takes sacrifices. All Rwandans need to shape the looming change for a better Rwanda and lasting peace.
- Genocide against Tutsi populations and crimes against humanity committed in Rwanda against Hutu populations and those committed in the DRC as established by the UN
Mapping report need to be prosecuted.
- The question of Rwandan refugees and the application of cessation close is a serious matter of concern. Rwandans have genuine reasons to flee the dictatorship. Since June 2011, thousands of refugees have signed a protest petition to UNHCR and host countries. In September 2011, a call for demonstrations at the UNHCR headquarters in Geneva (Switzerland) is in the pipeline.

As for the much touted visit of President Paul Kagame in Paris on 12"" September 2011, the Rwandan opposition and sections of France citizens are preparing a huge demonstration against his brutal rule.

The organizing committee praised the Belgian government for the heavy and important deployment of security detail.

For the organizing Committee;

FDU-Inkingi
Dr. Emmanuel Mwiseneza,
Senior Information Officer

RNC
Joseph Ngarambe
Secretary

Submitted by: Jennifer Fierberg, MSW; a correspondent, Assistant Editor, and Volunteer Coordinator for NGO News Africa through the volunteer project of the UN. Jennifer is also the media co-coordinator and senior funding executive for The Africa Global Village (www.africaglobalvillage.com)