WASHINGTON - May 17, 2021 - The family and legal representatives of illegally extradited and jailed humanitarian Paul Rusesabagina will reveal at a Tuesday, May 18 virtual press conference recently uncovered details of the events which occurred while Rusesabagina was being held incommunicado by the Rwandan Government in the time between his kidnapping on August 27, 2020 and the announcement of his arrest on August 31, 2020.
The family is updating their filing with the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture after more information on the circumstances of Rusesabagina's captivity have come to light. Rusesabagina's international human rights lawyers Kate Gibson, Peter Choharis and Philippe Larochelle will provide insight on their filing and the ramifications of the torture Paul has endured.
Unfortunately, Rusesabagina has still been provided with no contact with his international legal team, and very limited contact with the two lawyers representing him in Rwanda. The conditions of his detention and solitary confinement for his first 260 days in captivity also add to the evidence of torture. Solitary confinement for more than 15 days is an explicit violation of the internationally accepted Nelson Mandela Rules, which are the internationally accepted standard minimum rules for the detainment of prisoners. According to that definition, this type of confinement in and of itself is torture.
The situation for Rusesabagina continues to deteriorate, with even harassment and threats against his lawyers increasing significantly in recent weeks. Even his Rwandan lawyers are now effectively blocked from representing their client.
In late August, the international human rights icon whose story of saving 1,268 people during the Rwandan Genocide was told in the film Hotel Rwanda, was kidnapped and flown against his will from Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Kigali, Rwanda.
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.
When: May 18, 2021 10:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Rusesabagina Family Press Conference
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_CcZ6PCWUTjCNGFJiTQlQhw
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
The press conference can also be viewed on the #FreeRusesabagina Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FreePaulRusesabagina
#FreeRusesabagina
Website: www.hrrfoundation.com
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Contact
Kitty Kurth
