FEDERALhearing transcript

Congressional Hearing on Democracy and Human Rights in Rwanda

Original title: RWANDA: DEMOCRACY THWARTED

January 1, 2017

Rwanda Human Rights Foreign Policy Democracy International Relations

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The Frame

What this does

The hearing informs U.S. foreign policy toward Rwanda, a significant African ally and major contributor to U.N. peacekeeping missions, by evaluating concerns regarding political freedom and government conduct.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Rwandan Government

The government is the subject of the subcommittee's inquiry regarding its human rights record and democratic practices.

U.S. State Department

The department provides testimony and policy guidance regarding U.S. relations with Rwanda.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2017.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

This document is a transcript of a 2017 House hearing examining the state of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Rwanda. The hearing featured testimony from State Department officials and human rights advocates regarding the Rwandan government's domestic policies and its actions toward critics living abroad.

Key Facts

The hearing was held on September 27, 2017, by the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations.
Rwanda is identified as the sixth largest troop and police contributor to U.N. peacekeeping missions.
In 2015, Rwanda held a constitutional referendum where approximately 98 percent of voters endorsed constitutional amendments.
The hearing addressed reports of the Rwandan government attempting to silence critics living outside of Rwanda.
The subcommittee examined the status of the rule of law and human rights within Rwanda.
Witnesses provided prepared statements and written responses to questions submitted for the record.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of this hearing?

The hearing was held to examine the future of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Rwanda, specifically addressing concerns about government behavior.

Who testified at the hearing?

Witnesses included Donald Yamamoto from the U.S. State Department, representatives from Democracy in Rwanda Now, Search for Common Ground, and Amnesty International.

Why It Matters

News Coverage

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Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

policy shift90% confidence

Focus on Transnational Repression

The hearing highlights a specific congressional interest in how foreign governments attempt to silence critics living abroad.

Rwanda

Connected Entities

personDonald Yamamoto“Acting Assistant Secretary, Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State”Map →

personAdotei Akwei“Managing Director, Government Relations, Amnesty International United States”Map →

personChristopher H. Smith“Chairman of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and ”Map →

personRobert Higiro“Major, Rwanda Defense Force (Retired); Coordinator for the U.S., Democracy in Rw”Map →

personMike Jobbins“Manager, Africa Programs, Search for Common Ground”Map →

personDavid Himbara“Coordinator for Canada, Democracy in Rwanda Now”Map →

locationRwanda“The subject nation of the hearing”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance60
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy50
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment20
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz10
Current news / social attention level

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