Save Rwanda

🇷🇼Rwandan journalist Dieudonné Niyonsenga, known as Cyuma Hassan, was wrongfully imprisoned and sentenced to seven years in prison in 2021, following a trial marred by serious irregularities. His case is one of many examples of the repression faced by journalists, political opponents and government critics in Rwanda. His imprisonment has drawn international condemnation, alongside serious allegations of torture and ill-treatment in detention. @RwandaGov must understand that no one should be imprisoned for informing the public, exposing injustice or exercising their fundamental rights. We demand his immediate and unconditional release, an independent investigation into allegations of torture and accountability for those responsible. We will continue highlighting the stories of Rwanda's political prisoners and advocating for their freedom, justice and accountability. #FreedomStartsWithAName #FreeNiyonsenga #FreeThemAll #FreeThem #JournalismIsNotAcrime #FreeAllPoliticalPrisoners #Africa #FreeCyuma

🇷🇼 🇺🇸 Living in the United States, where the First Amendment protects freedom of expression, including criticism of the government, Patrick Niyonshima @TofeRwanda is calling on Rwandan authorities to screen people at borders and airports based on their social media activity. He enjoys the freedom to express his political opinions in a country that protects dissent, while advocating restrictions against those who challenge the official narrative in Rwanda. In #Rwanda, criticism of the government can expose individuals to detention, prosecution and other forms of retaliation. Even critics living abroad have faced intimidation and transnational repression. theelephant.info/analysis/20… His call to “Protect our country’s narrative”, while tagging @Rwandamigration, @Cybersec_Rwanda, @Rwandapolice, @RIB_Rw and @RwandaMFA, raises serious concerns about the use of state institutions to police political opinions rather than protect fundamental rights. Criticism of a government is not a threat to national security. Dissent is not a crime. And freedom of expression cannot be a privilege reserved for those who support those in power. A country’s reputation should be built on respect for human rights, the rule of law and accountability, not on suppressing critical voices. #Africa #FreedomOfSpeech