February 08, 2022

House Foreign Affairs Committee Passes Castro/Kim Resolution Calling on Republic of Rwanda to Release Paul Rusesabagina

WASHINGTON – Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-39) released the following statement after the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed H. Res. 892, their bipartisan resolution calling on the government of Rwanda to release activist Paul Rusesabagina on humanitarian grounds:

“More than a year has passed since the government of Rwanda kidnapped Paul Rusesabagina and unjustly imprisoned him on politically-motivated charges,” said Congressman Castro. “Mr. Rusesabagina is a cancer survivor with chronic medical conditions, and his imprisonment is a grave threat to his health. I thank my colleagues on the House Foreign Affairs Committee for advancing this resolution, and I hope common sense will prevail upon President Kagame to release Mr. Rusesabagina and allow him to return home to his family in San Antonio.”

“Mr. Paul Rusesabagina saved the lives of thousands of people during the brutal 1994 Rwandan genocide and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his heroism. The fact that an American permanent resident could be abducted and held hostage by a foreign government is wholly unacceptable,” said Congresswoman Kim. “I will continue to pray for Paul Rusesabagina’s safety and thank my House Foreign Affairs Committee colleagues for joining me and Rep. Castro to urge the Biden administration to demand his immediate humanitarian release and raise his case with the Government of Rwanda.” 

Paul Rusesabagina is a Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree and resident of Texas who is credited with saving the lives of more than 1,200 people during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. In August 2020, Rusesabagina was charged by the Rwandan government and put on trial. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison on September 20, 2021.

H. Res. 892:

  • 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.
  • Expresses support to the family of Paul Rusesabagina and their commitment to bringing Paul Rusesabagina home.

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