Hotel Rwanda Hero Kidnapped by the Rwandan Government to Face a Corrupt Trial.
#FreeRusesabagina
The Case
Paul Rusesabagina is an internationally beloved humanitarian hero. His incredible story of saving 1,268 people by providing them shelter at the Hôtel des Milles Collines during the Rwandan Genocide was depicted in the Oscar-nominated film Hotel Rwanda. Since the genocide, Paul has been a tireless advocate for human rights, freedom, and democracy across the world. He has won numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in the United States – the nation’s highest civilian honor. He speaks out against authoritarian tactics and fights for global justice, even in the face of threats to his life. In particular, he is a frequent critic of the political abuses and human rights violations of the post-genocide Rwandan government under President Paul Kagame, who has been in power for two decades.
In late August 2020, Paul was traveling to deliver a speech on human rights in Burundi. While transiting in Dubai, he was taken to a private jet, restrained, and forcibly disappeared to Rwanda. Paul was abducted by his birth country’s government because he dared to speak up against its iron-fisted rule. He could not contact his family for 10 days, was forced to use government-appointed lawyers for over 40 days, and is still not allowed to be represented by his international lawyers. He has been denied medical bail, despite chronic health conditions associated with remission from cancer and hypertension. The New York Times wrote that he appears to be speaking under duress during interviews, unable to explain details of his circumstances out of fear of punishment.
Paul’s kidnapping, restricted legal advice, and treatment are blatantly illegal under international law. He faces an unfair trial against a government that has already publicly asserted his guilt. This has triggered an outcry by nonprofits and NGOs around the world, from the American Bar Association to the Clooney Foundation for Justice, and from the Red Cross to Amnesty International. What Paul needs most now is financial support for legal fees as his team fights to free him. He did not profit from the film Hotel Rwanda and his legal defense costs are extremely expensive.
Your Donation
Funds donated will be directed to the Paul Rusesabagina Legal Defense Fund and will fund legal expenses for Paul and security measures for his family, who have been subject to credible threats.
- 28 August 2020
Abducted From Dubai And Forcibly Taken To Rwanda
Paul Rusesabagina was kidnapped in Dubai while traveling to speak to church groups in Burundi. He was not extradited, the UAE and Belgium were not involved. He was forcibly disappeared and taken on a private charter to Rwanda. During those days, he was blindfolded, handcuffed, and had his legs tied. Paul’s team believed that he was tortured during these days. Based on pictures in the press and his behavior in subsequent appearances, they fear that the torture and other maltreatment has continued.
- 31 August 2020
Initial Detention & Contact Deprivation
Rusesabagina was held in a jail in Kigali and deprived of any contact with his family for 10 days, except for media visits, which were all monitored heavily by Rwandan authorities.
- 4 September 2020
Denied Access To Lawyers
Rwandan authorities force Rusesabagina to use government-appointed representation.
- 7 September 2020
First International Complaint Placed
Urgent complaint filed to UN Special Rapporteur on Torture. Read the complaint.
- 10 September 2020
Human Rights Watch Issues Statement On Rusesabagina Kidnapping
Read the statement.
- 14 September 2020
Amnesty International Issues Report On Rusesabagina’s Detention
Read the report.
- 16 September 2020
Organizations Pledge to Monitor Trial
The Clooney Foundation for Justice and and the American Bar Association pledge to monitor Paul’s trial. Read the pledge.
- 17 September 2020
Denied Medical Bail And Sentenced To Further Detention
Despite chronic medical condititions, Rusesabagina is required to remain in detention and is disallowed from seeking adequate medical help.
- 18 September 2020
New York Times Releases Expose
“How The Hero Of Hotel Rwanda Fell Into A Vengeful Strongman’s Trap” is published in the New York Times, detailing the duress Rusesabagina has been placed under in participating in interviews. Read the article.
- 1 October 2020
Family and Legal Team Hold Press Conference
Rusesabagina’s family and legal team briefs the media and supporters on updates, joined by former congressman Patrick Kennedy.
- 27 October 2020
Complaint Filed To The East African Court Of Justice
The complaint details the illegal kidnapping of Rusesabagina and the unjust proceedings surrounding his trial, asking for his immediate release.
- 20 November 2020
Paul Appeals Extension of Detention
Paul is appealing the 30-day extension of his detention. He appeared before the Nyarugenge Intermediate Court today, virtually, to request an extension to be able to meet in person with his lawyer to discuss his case. This extension was granted until Friday 27 November, 9am.
- 3 December 2020
Trial Date Set for Paul in 2021
Paul’s trial date has been set for January 26th. Once we reach trial, we anticipate legal costs to increase to above $10,000 per week. Moreover, Paul’s health continues to deteriorate and the need is greater than ever to get him out of jail soon. He suffers from hypertension, and in addition to rising blood pressure he has complained regularly in recent weeks of dizziness and headaches. Donations are urgently needed.
- 20 December 2020
Fundraising Concert
A fundraising concert, ‘Giving A Voice To The Voiceless’, is held to raise funds for Paul.
- 23 December 2020
TIME Magazine Publishes Story on Paul
‘Diplomats, Family Push for Release of Detained ‘Hotel Rwanda’ Hero’ is published in TIME Magazine. Read the article here.
- 4 January 2021
LA Times Publishes Op-Ed about Paul's Arrest
‘Rwanda’s disturbing arrest of the hero of Hotel Rwanda’ is published in the Los Angeles Times. Read the article here.
| Name | Donate Amount | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Anonymous | $25 | February 25, 2021 |
| Anonymous | $36 | February 24, 2021 |
| Arpan Doshi | $100 | February 22, 2021 |
| Asantewaa Holmes | $20 | February 22, 2021 |
| Elliott Bronstein | $50 | February 22, 2021 |
| Otto Hanson | $50 | February 21, 2021 |
| Alphonse Hakiza | $50 | February 20, 2021 |
| George Beaton | $100 | February 19, 2021 |
| Shanate Jones | $50 | February 19, 2021 |
| Jon Bartman | $30 | February 19, 2021 |
| Molly McAuliffe | $100 | February 19, 2021 |
| Samantha Hamidan | $300 | February 19, 2021 |
| Nora Burghardt | $5 | February 18, 2021 |
| John Gaudet | $150 | February 17, 2021 |
| Randy Reynolds | $50 | February 17, 2021 |
| Melodee Armstrong | $200 | February 13, 2021 |
| Anonymous | $100 | February 13, 2021 |
| Anonymous | $100 | February 12, 2021 |
| Anonymous | $100 | February 10, 2021 |
| Lisa Stone | $100 | February 10, 2021 |
| Kendall Tucker | $50 | February 10, 2021 |
| Annie Quinones | $100 | February 10, 2021 |
| Hailey Bobin Cole | $100 | January 28, 2021 |
| Anonymous | $20 | January 27, 2021 |
| Frans Briers | $100 | January 26, 2021 |
| Paulina Sussman | $50 | January 25, 2021 |
| Anonymous | $10 | January 24, 2021 |
| Anonymous | $5 | January 23, 2021 |
| Kai Dolbashian | $300 | January 12, 2021 |
| Nancy Bingham | $100 | January 04, 2021 |
| Bryanna Pratt | $70 | January 03, 2021 |
| Bryan Pratt | $1,000 | January 03, 2021 |
| Nia Indelicato | $60 | January 03, 2021 |
| Anonymous | $200 | December 31, 2020 |
| Margaret M. Small | $30 | December 29, 2020 |
| Konstantin Shperling | $100 | December 28, 2020 |
| Eirini Pitta | $75 | December 24, 2020 |
| Karen Daniels | $100 | December 24, 2020 |
| Kate Royko | $50 | December 22, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $3,000 | December 22, 2020 |
| Donald Pacific | $100 | December 22, 2020 |
| Samantha Hamidan | $250 | December 21, 2020 |
| Julia Ellakkis | $100 | December 21, 2020 |
| Daniel WEYN | $200 | December 21, 2020 |
| Aalum Jaffer | $50 | December 21, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $50 | December 21, 2020 |
| Susan Powell | $25 | December 20, 2020 |
| Talia Chopra | $200 | December 20, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $50 | December 20, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $50 | December 20, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $100 | December 20, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $100 | December 20, 2020 |
| Gene Glaudell | $100 | December 20, 2020 |
| Isan Abuzeni | $100 | December 20, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $50 | December 20, 2020 |
| Heidi Qua | $25 | December 20, 2020 |
| Christina Dyer | $50 | December 20, 2020 |
| Leena El-Ali | $100 | December 20, 2020 |
| Ingrid Gangestad | $500 | December 20, 2020 |
| Antonello Di Florio | $100 | December 20, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $100 | December 20, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $20 | December 20, 2020 |
| Karen Clark | $100 | December 20, 2020 |
| Guy Raymaker | $250 | December 20, 2020 |
| Rajai Khoury | $100 | December 20, 2020 |
| Shirin Parvaresh | $30 | December 20, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $10 | December 20, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $100 | December 20, 2020 |
| Franck Kamayou | $50 | December 20, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $25 | December 20, 2020 |
| Giuseppe Corti | $250 | December 20, 2020 |
| Nathalie Kyalu Ngoie Zola | $10 | December 20, 2020 |
| Nabiha Abiad | $100 | December 20, 2020 |
| Linda Welch | $100 | December 19, 2020 |
| Matthew Welch | $50 | December 19, 2020 |
| Marie Jeanne Rutayisire | $100 | December 19, 2020 |
| Nate Dolan | $20 | December 18, 2020 |
| Rebecca Tamiru | $100 | December 18, 2020 |
| Seth Naza | $200 | December 18, 2020 |
| Veronika Tóth | $100 | December 18, 2020 |
| Christina Kaldi | $500 | December 18, 2020 |
| cornelis bik | $50 | December 17, 2020 |
| Emily Davis | $100 | December 17, 2020 |
| Lita Wilburn | $100 | December 16, 2020 |
| Juliette Menga | $100 | December 16, 2020 |
| Danielle Hargrove | $100 | December 14, 2020 |
| Julia Baldwin | $50 | December 14, 2020 |
| Nicholas Prichard | $50 | December 14, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $2,500 | December 13, 2020 |
| Maurice Thomas | $100 | December 13, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $50 | December 13, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $250 | December 13, 2020 |
| Gretchen Hummon | $50 | December 13, 2020 |
| Luke Westman | $50 | December 13, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $100 | December 13, 2020 |
| Lynn Gorton | $100 | December 11, 2020 |
| Sara Pacque-Margolis | $100 | December 11, 2020 |
| Eirini Pitta | $50 | December 11, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $500 | December 11, 2020 |
| Amanda Saville | $30 | December 11, 2020 |
| Claire Dompeyre | $100 | December 10, 2020 |
| Jenna Bergstraesser | $25 | December 09, 2020 |
| Carol Miller | $100 | December 09, 2020 |
| FARLEY CLEGHORN | $100 | December 09, 2020 |
| Alexandra Tracy | $40 | December 09, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $500 | December 09, 2020 |
| susan hoffman | $100 | December 09, 2020 |
| Kathryn Cartmill | $100 | December 08, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $50 | December 08, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $10 | December 08, 2020 |
| Bruce Emerson | $20 | December 07, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $10 | December 07, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $100 | December 07, 2020 |
| Jonathan Jacobsberg | $20 | December 06, 2020 |
| William Corley | $20 | December 05, 2020 |
| Kathryn Stout | $10 | December 04, 2020 |
| Scott Loeff | $10 | December 03, 2020 |
| Vincent Fitzgerald | $250 | December 02, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $25 | December 02, 2020 |
| Jordan Howard | $100 | December 02, 2020 |
| Hamish Baillieu | $50 | December 02, 2020 |
| William Summitt | $100 | December 01, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $10 | December 01, 2020 |
| Richard Shea | $100 | December 01, 2020 |
| Dima Calnan | $50 | December 01, 2020 |
| Ali Chopra | $250 | December 01, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $50 | December 01, 2020 |
| Priya Sharma | $50 | December 01, 2020 |
| AprilNicole Chang | $100 | December 01, 2020 |
| Angelica Krouwer | $25 | December 01, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $20 | December 01, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $200 | December 01, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $25 | November 30, 2020 |
| Terri Bernstein | $25 | November 28, 2020 |
| Courtney Leach | $20 | November 26, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $100 | November 24, 2020 |
| Julia Ramos | $50 | November 23, 2020 |
| Dirk Ultee | $50 | November 23, 2020 |
| Mariana Rt | $100 | November 23, 2020 |
| Rahul Chhabra | $100 | November 23, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $25 | November 22, 2020 |
| Roos Baas | $80 | November 22, 2020 |
| Reza Orbien | $5 | November 22, 2020 |
| Aisha Babalakin | $100 | November 21, 2020 |
| Jelle & Zoe Keuning | $55 | November 21, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $100 | November 21, 2020 |
| Mariam Matin | $100 | November 21, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $30 | November 20, 2020 |
| John&Goeun Holden | $250 | November 20, 2020 |
| Elpi Saranti | $50 | November 20, 2020 |
| Karen Sneed | $50 | November 19, 2020 |
| Nicolo Dona dalle Rose | $100 | November 19, 2020 |
| Rabbi Abie Ingber | $50 | November 19, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $30 | November 19, 2020 |
| David Harris | $100 | November 19, 2020 |
| Alexandra Theodoridou | $100 | November 19, 2020 |
| Franz Honer | $50 | November 19, 2020 |
| Naomi Keuning | $50 | November 19, 2020 |
| Roger Croteau | $40 | November 19, 2020 |
| Mariana Rivera-Torres | $100 | November 18, 2020 |
| Babette Enning | $10 | November 18, 2020 |
| George Beaton | $1,000 | November 18, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $100 | November 18, 2020 |
| Minyoung Kwon | $100 | November 17, 2020 |
| Romée Stiekema | $50 | November 17, 2020 |
| Sanlap Roy | $20 | November 17, 2020 |
| Yael&Amir Luzon | $200 | November 17, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $20 | November 17, 2020 |
| Samantha Hamidan | $100 | November 17, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $10 | November 17, 2020 |
| Liam White | $100 | November 17, 2020 |
| Rebecca Augustin | $50 | November 16, 2020 |
| Zoe Zou | $25 | November 16, 2020 |
| Georgios Chrysostomou | $50 | November 16, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $25 | November 16, 2020 |
| Florida Mukandamutsa | $50 | November 16, 2020 |
| Katherine Mayer | $100 | November 16, 2020 |
| Natasa Los | $120 | November 16, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $100 | November 16, 2020 |
| Joanna Pitta | $100 | November 16, 2020 |
| Natalia Kara | $20 | November 16, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $50 | November 16, 2020 |
| Mary Los | $30 | November 16, 2020 |
| Mario Martinez | $25 | November 16, 2020 |
| John Kolet | $50 | November 16, 2020 |
| Todd Cobb | $20 | November 15, 2020 |
| Eirini Pitta | $150 | November 15, 2020 |
| Sherry Summers-Ball | $150 | November 15, 2020 |
| Vasyl Markus | $50 | November 15, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $100 | November 14, 2020 |
| Leonor Corripio | $100 | November 14, 2020 |
| Ngoc Nguyen | $200 | November 14, 2020 |
| Heather Langsner | $100 | November 13, 2020 |
| Kitty Kurth | $50 | November 13, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $50 | November 13, 2020 |
| Yaninne Vega | $100 | November 13, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $10 | November 13, 2020 |
| Edward White | $50 | November 13, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $200 | November 12, 2020 |
| Nathan Kennedy | $50 | November 12, 2020 |
| Jackie White | $20 | November 12, 2020 |
| Tyson Ballard | $5 | November 12, 2020 |
| Keir Finlow-Bates | $50 | November 12, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $70 | November 12, 2020 |
| Haesoo Yoon | $50 | November 12, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $50 | November 12, 2020 |
| Amber Bobin | $50 | November 10, 2020 |
| Anonymous | $10 | November 10, 2020 |
