U.S. Representatives Joaquin Castro (D-TX) and Young Kim (R-CA) have just introduced in Congress House Resolution 982 urging Rwandan President Paul Kagame to release Rusesabagina immediately. It is vital that we all tell our U.S. representative to co-sponsor this powerful, new Congressional resolution.
Summary of House Resolution 982:
- Calls on the Government of Rwanda to immediately release Paul Rusesabagina on humanitarian grounds and permit him to return safely to the United States;
- 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;
- 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
- Expresses support to the family of Paul Rusesabagina and their commitment to bringing Paul Rusesabagina home.
Please follow up your message with phone calls and emails to the staff of your U.S. representative.
We have a new resource to make this easier for you. We’ve created an online listing of key staff of every member of the House of Representatives. Check it out here: https://bit.ly/USHousePaulR
If you have extra time, please make a phone call and follow up email to the staff of your U.S. representative. Just follow the steps below! Sometimes just one call or direct email from you can make the difference.
Action #1: Make a phone call
- Click here to enter your zip code and find your House Member
- Click here to find the name, email, and phone number of a key staffer of your House Member
- Click here to check if your House Member is already a co-sponsor of House Resolution 892 calling for Paul Rusesabagina’s release. (If he or she is a co-sponsor, simply call to thank them. We don’t do that enough!)
- When you reach their office, ask to be connected directly to the staffer, either in person on their voicemail.
- Simply tell the staffer – in person or on their voicemail – you want your representative to co-sponsor the House Resolution 892 calling for the release of Paul Rusesabagina.
- Leave your name, number, and city of residence to indicate that you live in the state or congressional district.
- Email us at [email protected] and tell us how your calls went.
Action #2: Email your representative’s staffer
- Click here to enter your zip code and find your House Member
- Click here to find the name, email, and phone number of a key staffer of your House Member
You may wish to use a succinct and direct subject line such as: “Please co-sponsor H.Res.892 calling for the release of Paul Rusesabagina”
Start your message with a mention of where you live in the district. Please use or adapt the following text in your email. Please blind copy (bcc) us on your email at [email protected].
I ask that you co-sponsor House Resolution 892 calling on the Rwandan government to release Paul Rusesabagina.
Paul Rusesabagina is an internationally revered humanitarian hero whose bravery during the Rwandan Genocide was depicted in Hotel Rwanda. He is a Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, a devoted advocate for peace and human rights, and a critic of authoritarianism. In August 2020, Paul was the victim of extraordinary rendition and was brought illegally to Rwanda where he has been falsely accused of terrorism charges. The Rwandan government is releasing almost no information and deliberately interfering with his right to a fair trial. What’s more – since Paul is a Belgian citizen who did not voluntarily come to Rwanda and no extradition process was followed, any legal proceedings he’s subjected to in Rwanda would be illegal.
Rusesabagina’s family is extremely concerned for his well-being, and is pleading with the international community to get involved. “Paul is a cancer survivor and heart patient who requires daily medication,” said a spokesperson for the family. His family has had only limited contact with him since his disappearance. They have requested to visit him immediately, to make certain that he is safe, and to ensure his swift release.
Please write back and tell me if my representative will co-sponsor House Resolution 892.
Just one meeting, email, or phone call from a constituent can make a difference. So please email and call your representative every day this week until they co-sponsor House Resolution 892.
For more information:
“Castro, Kim introduce bipartisan resolutions calling on Republic of Rwanda to release Paul Rusesabagina on humanitarian grounds,” press release, 1 February 2022
Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation
Sources
- The U.S. State Department: Paul Rusesabagina Case Outcome
- Amnesty International: Rwanda: numerous fair trial concerns in Paul Rusesabagina case
- Human Rights Watch: Rwanda: Paul Rusesabagina Convicted in Flawed Trial
- Clooney Foundation for Justice: ‘Hotel Rwanda’ Proceedings were a show trial’