This letter was sent to William Penn University on the occasion of having Paul Kagame, leader of Rwanda speak at their graduation and giving him an Honorary Doctorate. Because of this letter, there was a lot of "fallout." Because of that, while I welcome comments to any post on my blog, due to the number of comments I have received on this topic, ALL COMMENTS whether FOR or AGAINST THIS LETTER MUST PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION (web links, book/article citations, etc.) if you choose to speak to any of the points I have made. IF YOU DO NOT PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION, YOUR COMMENT WILL BE DELETED.
Documentation of Each Point that I made can be found in the following web links:
To the William Penn University Community:
Documentation of Each Point that I made can be found in the following web links:
To the William Penn University Community:
I am writing to you concerning your university’s decision to
have President Paul Kagame of Rwanda to give the commencement address this
year. While it is true that no
international leader is without controversy, President Kagame’s record on human
rights abuses speaks volumes of this man’s character. I strongly request that you rescind the invitation to have
this man speak at the commencement ceremony.
*In August 2011, before the presidential election, there was
a major halt of freedom of expression allowing President Kagame to win with 93%
of the vote.
*Bernard Ntaganda, and Victor Ingabire, both leaders of
opposition parties were arrested for criticizing government policy.
*Since 2009, journalist rights have been highly restricted
forcing many journalists to flee Rwanda for their own safety.
*Between March and May 2011, at least four individuals have
disappeared, presumably at the hand of Kagame’s government.
*Members of opposition political parties have been arrested
and beaten. President Kagame controls the RPF Political Party, only functioning
political party in Rwanda.
*In 2008, a Spanish judge indicted 40 Rwandan Military
Officers for human rights abuses and genocide that took place in the 1990’s
when several million Rwandans died or disappeared – this judge found criminal
activity on the part of President Kagame, however he is immune from indictment
due to being a head of state.
*In October 2011, Former Secretary General of the RPF, Dr.
Theogene Rudasingua stated in an “open confession” that President Kagame
personally ordered the assassination of Former President Habyarimana that set
off the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.
This is backed by a French investigation completed in January 2012.
*In 1996, according to the United Nations Mapping Report,
Rwanda (posing as militias) attacked Zaire (Now called the Democratic Republic
of Congo) attacking Hutus in genocidal proportions.
*President Kagame’s role in both the First and Second Congo
Wars cannot be overlooked where between 3.8-7.8 Million humans were killed.
All of this
information can be found from a simple web-search, Amnesty International, Human
Rights Watch, United Nations Documents, and major media reports.
Kagame’s violent rule continues to this day as he suppresses
journalism, opposition parties, and orders assassinations of dissenters – even
those in other countries.
The stain on the hands of William Penn University would be
unfathomable if you allow President Kagame to continue as commencement
speaker.
This travesty would also go against the namesake of your
university, William Penn, who was a Quaker who championed the rights of those
in politics, religious minorities, and was a man who believed that all humans
were equal and sacred in the eyes of God.
I am strongly requesting that you rescind your invitation to
President Kagame and do not award him an Honorary Doctorate because of his
obvious neglect of human rights and ties to genocide. This genocidal dictator is not an appropriate role model for
any human being, much less for college graduates.
Please forward this communication to anyone who has a role
in planning the commencement exercises at your university.
In the Name of God’s Peace:
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