[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.

                          ____________________