The Rwanda Diaspora Global Network (RDGN) has advised Rwandans living abroad to avoid confrontation and seek protection from law enforcement authorities in the event of racism or hate attacks.

The call follows an attack against a Rwandan student studying in Oregon, USA, last month while at campus, Lewis & Clark College.

Tanguy Muvuna , a postgraduate student, was allegedly attacked by three white men on the basis of his race, media outlets in Oregon reported.

Muvuna however, said that he would not press charges saying that he had forgiven his assaulters and was looking forward to resuming school.

The 26-year-old law graduate moved to the US this year after winning the Lewis & Clark’s Roméo Dallaire Scholarship, named after the former commander of the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission to Rwanda.

His refusal to press charges and instead pardon his attackers has garnered headlines in the Oregon community.

Alice Cyusa, the president of the Rwanda Diaspora Global Network, told The New Times that the Diaspora community was proud of Muvuna’s conduct in face of the attacks.

"He has acted with wisdom and restraint. He did not allow the behaviour of a few individuals to affect the relationship between communities. Our country and Rwandan communities abroad are proud of him,” Cyusa told this paper.

She called on Rwandans in the Diaspora to avoid confrontation in the event of such attacks but rather seek protection from law enforcement officers.

"Forgiveness is part of our history, it is important to Rwandans, we have had to learn to forgive in order for our country to survive. It is a difficult yet crucial thing to do in the modern interconnected world. We recognise the bravery it took for such a young man to not only forgive his aggressors but to also use the media attention to bring unity to his community,” the president of the association said.

Cyusa noted that this was the first time that such an incident had occurred to a Rwandan but noted that African-Americans have been subjected to hate and racism attacks in the recent past.

She added that the incident should not deter Rwandans seeking to study in the US as it was still safe.

Yehoyada Mbangukira, the Chairman of the Rwandan Community in California, the state where Muvuna lives, termed the pardon as a "noble act”. He urged Rwandans living abroad to be participants in their local institutions abroad and unafraid to engage systems in the event of such incidents.

"Always participate in your local institutions. Do not hide for fear of retribution just because you are black or from Africa,” Mbangukira said.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw