Rwandans based in Belgium have called upon the European Union(EU), to consider looking at the legal basis, of the French indictments against top Rwandan officials. This is Nineteen days after Rose Kabuye’s arrest in Germany and extradition to France, with protests against what many consider an illegal arrest of the Director of State Protocol continuing. These have included the ongoing online protests and petitions by Rwandans the world over. As part of the pressure on the EU leadership, Rwandans also mounted a rally in Brussels, at La Place Schuman, Thursday afternoon. Chantal Karara, head of the Rwandan Diaspora in Belgium confirmed this in a phone interview. She told The New Times that La Place Schuman, an area in close proximity to the European Commission institutions was where the protestors gathered. “More than one hundred and twenty people came and from there, we sung and danced in protest to Rose’s arrest,” she said. Adding that they also sent, through a representative, a memo of protest to José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission. “His representative came and listened to our protests,” she said, explaining that they also wrote, among other things, calling upon the EU to consider looking into the basis of the indictments and arrest warrants issued by French Judge, Jean Louis Bruguiere. “We pointed out that people like Rose Kabuye are the ones who fought to liberate our country, unlike what is being suggested in the faulty indictment charges,” Karara said. Ends
