Episode 34: The Re-arrest of Rwandan Opposition Leader Victoire Ingabire Artwork

The Keeper: A Human Rights Podcast

Hosted by Lantos Foundation President, Dr. Katrina Lantos Swett, The Keeper features in depth conversations about the most pressing matters of human rights and justice around the world and welcomes some of the most important human rights figures of our time as guests.The Keeper takes its name from the personal conviction of the Lantos Foundation's namesake Congressman Tom Lantos, fully lived out in his own life, that we have a moral and ethical obligation to be our brother and sister’s keeper. This guiding principle led Congressman Lantos to found the Congressional Human Rights Caucus and use his eloquence, leadership, and personal passion to advocate fiercely on behalf of those whose human rights were being trampled in every corner of the world.

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The Keeper: A Human Rights Podcast

Episode 34: The Re-arrest of Rwandan Opposition Leader Victoire Ingabire

July 28, 2025 • The Lantos Foundation

Episode Notes

Episode 34: The Re-arrest of Rwandan Opposition Leader Victoire Ingabire

On June 17, 2025, Victoire Ingabire was at her home in Kigali, Rwanda, when she received an unusual phone call. She was being summoned by the High Court of Rwanda, and she was required to appear before the court two days later. Victoire was, of course, familiar with the case. It involved supporters of her political party, who were arrested and detained in the days leading up to a celebration of “Ingabire Day,” in honor of Victoire. But over the course of more than three years, Victoire herself had never been called to court for questioning. She answered the summons. She appeared in court. She hoped this would be the end of it. But it was not.

This special episode explores the recent re-arrest of Victoire Ingabire, one of the most prominent dissident voices in Rwanda. It features interviews with her children and legal team, recounting her previous imprisonment by the Rwandan regime and the fear and uncertainty that accompanies this latest arrest.

Rwanda arrests opposition leader Ingabire, her lawyer protests

The Keeper Episode 19: The Real Story of Kagame’s Rwanda

Victoire Ingabire: Opinion pieces in The Guardian

Victoire Inbagire: Opinion pieces in Al Jazeera

Victoire Ingabire with the Polis Project

An Open-Air Prison – Victoire Ingabire on HRF’s Dissidents and Dictators podcast

Producers: Brittany Smith, Chelsea Hedquist

 Audio editor: Brittany Smith

Music:

A Distant Call · Dan "Lebo" Lebowitz, Tone Seeker

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/aaron-paul-low/whispers-in-the-dark

License code: WBBC6MJARZZFNOYE