Political Prisoner Record

Rwanda

Paul Rusesabagina: UN Working Group opinion and current status

UN Working Group on Arbitrary DetentionOpinion No. 81/2021, adopted 19 November 2021

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention found that his deprivation of liberty "is arbitrary and falls within categories I, II, III and V". It asked Rwanda to release him immediately, accord him an enforceable right to compensation and reparations, and conduct a full and independent investigation.1

Category ICategory IICategory IIICategory V

Read the opinion

Government position

According to the opinion, the Government did not reply to the communication sent on 3 June 2021 within the deadline of 3 August 2021.1

Background

According to the source cited in the opinion, Mr. Rusesabagina, a Rwandan and Belgian national, was taken from Dubai to Kigali on a private flight in August 2020 without his knowledge or consent. The opinion notes reports that a Kigali court convicted him on 20 September 2021 and sentenced him to 25 years. AP reported that Rwanda's government has repeatedly denied targeting dissenting voices.1,2

Status now

Released in late March 2023 after the Government of Rwanda commuted his 25 year sentence by presidential order, and arrived in Doha, Qatar, on 27 March 2023 on his way to the United States, per AP and AFP.2,3

As of 28 March 2023.

Findings on this site are those of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, an independent body of experts. Its opinions are not court judgments. Each record includes the government's position where it gave one.

Sources

  1. UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (OHCHR), Opinion No. 81/2021 concerning Paul Rusesabagina (Rwanda), A/HRC/WGAD/2021/81, advance edited version (March 2022)
  2. Associated Press (via News4JAX), Freed Hotel Rwanda hero in Qatar, heading to family in US (28 March 2023)
  3. AFP (via Al-Monitor), Rwanda opponent arrives in Qatar after release from jail: diplomats (27 March 2023)