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Justice for Diane Rwigara

Floor Speech

Date: Nov. 30, 2018
Location: Washington, DC

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Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, on December 6, a Rwandan court will decide the fate of human rights activist Diane Rwigara, who faces up to 22 years in prison for speaking out against President Paul Kagame's government, and for running against him to be president.

The politically motivated charges against Diane seek to quash any criticism of the ruling party, which has gone largely unchallenged for more than 23 years.

Americans know that freedom of speech is essential to democracy. They know that we must protect our right to question our leaders and, importantly, encourage that freedom around the world.

I am sponsoring Diane's case as part of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission's Defending Freedoms Project, because as Diane faces a prolonged jail sentence, she is still calling on fellow Rwandans to resist fear and speak for their country,

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in calling for justice for Diane.

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