It may come as a surprise, but Rwanda’s longest-serving political prisoner is a survivor of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi—a man who lost his entire family in the atrocities. His name is Deogratias “Deo” Mushaidi.

At 63 years old, Mushaidi remains behind bars, serving a life sentence handed down exactly 14 years ago today. His charges? Bizarre and politically motivated offenses, including “genocide ideology” and denying the very genocide against the Tutsi that he survived.

On this sad anniversary, Igicumbi—Voix de Rescapés du Génocide contre les Tutsis, the only independent survivor organization in Rwanda, has issued its annual statement drawing attention to the situation of survivors like Mushaidi.

The organization is calling on President Paul Kagame’s regime to release Deo Mushaidi and other survivors who are incarcerated on politically motivated charges.

Dr. Philippe Basabose, President of Igicumbi, emphasizes that Mushaidi is serving a life sentence simply because he exercised his right to engage in politics through a party other than the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF).

The statement also highlights other survivors facing similar fates. Among them is Aimable Karasira Uzaramba, a university professor and YouTube political commentator who has been imprisoned since 2021. Another is Yvonne Idamange Iryamugwiza, who is serving a 15-year prison sentence for her statements on YouTube criticizing the regime’s treatment of survivors.

Dr. Basabose asserts that these individuals are detained because they have spoken out about the injustices they and their loved ones have experienced under the Kagame regime, the challenges faced by survivor organizations, or broader human rights issues in Rwanda.

“Igicumbi calls for their immediate release,” Dr. Basabose states. “Their only ‘crime’ is refusing to remain silent in the face of injustice.”

Mushaidi is imprisoned in Mpanga International Maximum Security Prison in Nyanza, located in Rwanda’s southern district. This facility is notable for housing notorious genocide perpetrators, including individuals who may have been involved in the killing of Mushaidi’s own family. The prison also accommodates eight Sierra Leonean inmates convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Similarly, Aimable Karasira and Yvonne Idamange are incarcerated in Mageragere maximum Security Prison, a few miles outside Kigali City. Karasira has reported to the court that he is in constant distress because his cell is next to that of Denis Kazungu, a notorious serial killer who murdered 14 women and was sentenced to life in 2023.

The full statement (VIDEO) from Igicumbi is also available HERE

By Albert Gasake, September 17, 2024.

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