[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 21, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H5714-H5716]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CALLING ON THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA TO RELEASE PAUL
RUSESABAGINA ON HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS
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
[[Page H5715]]
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.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
North Carolina (Ms. Manning) and the gentlewoman from California (Mrs.
Kim) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from North Carolina.
General Leave
Ms. MANNING. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H. Res. 892, as amended, calling on the
Government of the Republic of Rwanda to release Paul Rusesabagina on
humanitarian grounds.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from North Carolina?
There was no objection.
Ms. MANNING. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
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, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. KIM of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 892, calling for the
release of Paul Rusesabagina on humanitarian grounds. I am proud to co-
lead this resolution alongside Representative Castro. I thank him for
his leadership.
Paul Rusesabagina is a legal permanent resident of the United States
who was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his heroic
actions during the Rwandan genocide.
In August 2020, he was extrajudicially transferred from Texas to
Kigali, Rwanda, by way of the United Arab Emirates, and subjected to an
enforced disappearance for 3 days before the Government of the Republic
of Rwanda acknowledged his detention.
He underwent trial proceedings for terrorism-related charges, and the
American Bar Association has subsequently determined that his fair
trial rights have been violated.
Pursuant to the Robert Levinson Hostage Recovery and Hostage-Taking
Act, the Department of State has determined that Mr. Rusesabagina was
wrongfully detained.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the Rwandan Government to urgently work with the
State Department and authorities in Europe to secure a path forward for
his release and return to the United States.
It is also critically important that the Government of Rwanda grant
access to his U.S.-based doctor to assess his health and well-being.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important
resolution and efforts to bring Paul Rusesabagina home to his family.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
{time} 1645
Ms. MANNING. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Castro), who is the chair of the Subcommittee on
International Development, International Organizations, and Global
Corporate Social Impact.
Mr. CASTRO of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to
support H. Res. 892, calling on the Government of the Republic of
Rwanda to release Paul Rusesabagina on humanitarian grounds.
Paul is a hero of the Rwandan genocide and a permanent resident of
San Antonio, Texas, my hometown where his family also lives today.
Last year, a Rwandan court sentenced Paul to 25 years in prison on
politically motivated charges. Paul is 68 years old, and for him that
is a life sentence.
Congresswoman Young Kim and I have been closely following his case
for several years, and we were proud to introduce H. Res. 892 in
February of this year.
[[Page H5716]]
Paul's story begins in Rwanda, the country of his birth. Nearly three
decades ago, he was serving as assistant general manager of a luxury
hotel in Kigali, Rwanda, when the Rwandan genocide began.
The genocide, which led to the deaths of an estimated 800,000 people
over a 3-month period, targeted mostly members of the ethnic Tutsi
minority. Paul is a member of the Hutu majority, but he was determined
not to see his Tutsi countrymen die on his watch.
As genocidal killing squads roamed through Rwanda, Paul sheltered
more than 1,200 people in his hotel, saving their lives.
In the aftermath of the genocide, Paul and his family received asylum
in Belgium and later moved to San Antonio with the help of the late
Texas Senator Bob Krueger, an international leader in the fight against
genocide. In 2005, President George W. Bush presented Paul with the
Presidential Medal of Freedom, our Nation's highest civilian honor.
Since the 1994 genocide, the Government of Rwanda has made tremendous
strides in economic development and stability. However, the country's
government is still plagued by corruption, abuse of power, and human
rights issues that amount to violations of international law--including
enforced disappearances.
At home and abroad Paul Rusesabagina has used his voice and elevated
platform to call attention to the need for change in Rwanda. In
response, the Rwandan Government launched an extraordinary campaign of
persecution against him.
In August 2020, Paul was extrajudicially transferred from Texas to
Rwanda by way of the United Arab Emirates and arrested on trumped-up
charges.
The Rwandan Government did not acknowledge his detention for 3 days,
during which he was reportedly subject to torture. In September 2021,
Paul was found guilty and sentenced in a trial that the European Union
described as ``marred by numerous violations of his fair trial
rights.''
He is a cancer survivor who lives with serious cardiovascular issues,
and Rwandan authorities have not provided him with the care he needs in
prison.
I have my children here on the floor with me, and my heart breaks for
Paul's family who can only speak to him once a week for 5 minutes. It
is long past time for Rwanda to release Paul and allow him to come home
to San Antonio.
My colleagues and I on both sides of the aisle have raised our
concerns previously. In December 2020, we sent a bipartisan, bicameral
letter to Rwandan President Paul Kagame urging him to release Paul on
humanitarian grounds. We spoke out about the way Paul was taken against
his will to Rwanda, which for all intents and purposes was a kidnapping
by the Kagame regime.
In June 2021, my colleagues and I wrote to Secretary of State Antony
Blinken urging him to use all diplomatic means at his disposal to
ensure Paul's safe return to the United States.
We are not the only ones who are concerned.
Last year, the American Bar Association Center for Human Rights
issued a report that found Paul's right to confidential communication,
his right to the presumption of innocence, and his right to prepare his
defense have all been violated.
In October 2021, the European Parliament adopted a resolution
denouncing Paul's illegal arrest. The resolution strongly condemns the
conviction, which it said was ``exemplary of the human rights
violations in Rwanda.''
Paul is a permanent resident of the United States, and we must work
just as hard as our European allies to bring him home.
In May, the State Department announced its determination that Paul
was ``wrongfully detained,'' noting that ``The determination took into
account the totality of the circumstances, notably the lack of fair
trial guarantees during his trial.''
I appreciate the support of the State Department, which has been
working with Paul's family and the Congress on this issue. I am
especially pleased that Paul's case is now under the purview of the
Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, Ambassador Roger
Carstens.
Rwanda's President Kagame wants to be seen as a global leader and a
reliable partner to the United States, including on issues including
climate change. But Paul's unlawful detention is a blight on Rwanda's
international reputation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues, both Republican and Democrat, to
support this resolution.
Mrs. KIM of California. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support
this resolution offered by Representative Castro and myself. I want to
recognize Paul's family, especially his wife and children, who have
tirelessly advocated for his release.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. MANNING. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for
the purpose of closing.
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.
Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of
H. Res. 892, a resolution calling on the Government of the Republic of
Rwanda to release Paul Rusesabagina on humanitarian grounds.
The Rwandan genocide is considered one of the deadliest and most
brutal tragedies in the history of humankind. In just 100 days, more
than 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were systematically assaulted,
raped, and slaughtered by the Rwandan and Interahamwe militaries. And
except for a few peacekeeping forces, the international community at
large refused to get involved--leaving any resistance efforts to come
from within the country.
That's when Paul Rusesabagina stepped in. As the manager at a hotel
in the capital city of Kigali at the time, he was credited for housing
and feeding more than 1,200 Tutsi and Hutu refugees during the
genocide. He knew that the consequences of his efforts would put both
himself and his family in danger, but he still chose to help his people
in their greatest hour of need.
Now, the Rwandan government has convicted, detained, and reportedly
tortured Mr. Rusesabagina on charges stemming from a trial that the
State Department and American Bar Association considered unfair and
irreparable. He has also been denied the medical attention required as
a cancer survivor and individual suffering from a cardiovascular
disorder.
By passing this resolution, the House of Representatives will join
several other international democratic bodies to express concern over
his conviction and call for his immediate release. We will also urge
the United States Government to continue to raise awareness about Mr.
Rusesabagina's case and convey our support to his friends, family, and
loved ones.
Mr. Speaker, Paul Rusesabagina's story reminds us that hope can be
found even during our darkest days. I would urge my colleagues to
support this resolution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Manning) that the House suspend
the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 892, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion
are postponed.
____________________