General News

Friends of Rwandan Greens (FoRG) express their disappointment that CHOGM ruled out the recommendation of the Eminent Persons Group to set up a Human Rights Commissioner.

"We are saddened that despite the almost unanimous support of the Commonwealth civil society and particular nations – including Australia – CHOGM could not reach consensus to appoint a Human Rights Commissioner," said Frank Habineza, President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda.

Australia and other Commonwealth Governments naively believed admission to the Commonwealth would support Rwanda's path to democracy, but human rights abuses have continued and worsened, President of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, Frank Habineza, and Australian Greens Leader, Bob Brown, warned today.

"The Commonwealth should take action or risk Rwanda becoming another Zimbabwe. Without swift action, the calls will become louder to suspend the Commonwealth's newest member," Senator Brown said.

Frank Habineza's Acceptance Speech :

African leader in Innovation & Sustainability Award from Pilot International

Representative of the Office of President Republic of Uganda, Representative Office of Vice President, Republic of Gambia, Hon. Ministers, Hon. Presidential Advisors, Excellences, President and CEO Pilot International, Members of the Award Committee, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

First of all, I wish to recognize all the people to whom an especial reference is due and that is all of you dear ladies and gentlemen gathered tonight.

On the occasion of the second anniversary of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda, a global network of concerned citizens launches Friends of Rwandan Greens (FoRG) in Australia.

FoRG is aimed at supporting democracy in Rwanda and the right of the Democratic Green Party of Rwanda to campaign as an opposition party without fear of violence or repression.

FoRG has been launched on 15th August 2011, also in time to participate in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth, Australia.