Paul Rusesabagina was released from prison in Rwanda at the end of March, where he was sentenced despite his denial of terrorist offences. He has now been allowed to return to his family, who have been living in the United States for some time now. Image: ABC Reconciliation Forum. Source: Flickr.
Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt
At the end of March, government critic Paul was released Rusesabagina, who is portrayed in the film Hotel Rwanda, suddenly from prison. He was convicted in 2021 over his denials of sponsoring rebel groups that carried out deadly attacks in the country, but the trial has been criticized by several countries and human rights organizations for being politically motivated. Now Paul has Rusesabagina allowed to return to his family in the United States – but at the price of a promise that stop get involved in Rwandan politics.
April 18, 2023, News
Climate and Environment Minister Romina Pourmokthari (L) last week received the Climate Policy Council's report - which disapproves of the government's climate policy and states that it is not sufficient for Sweden to reach the climate goals by 2030. The report has created major discussions on Swedish opinion pages. Photo: Hamid Ershad Sarabi/Wikimedia Commons.
Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt
On Wednesday last week, the climate and environment minister took Romina Pourmokhtari (L) against the Climate Policy Council's annual report for 2022. The report states that Sweden has lost control of climate policy. It has characterized the Swedish debate and editorial pages during the past week, where criticism has been directed at both the current and previous government.
April 3, 2023, Current debate
On February 19, protesters gathered at Odenplan in Stockholm to mark the upcoming anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. During the day, representatives from several human rights organizations spoke. Photo: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt.
Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt
On February 24, 2023, a year has passedahuman rights organizations demonstrations in Stockholm. The development magazine was on site and guarded one of them.
February 24, 2023, Report
In November, the International Center for Local Democracy (ICLD) concluded the 2022 round of the Women's Leadership Program. The final workshop was held in Kigali, Rwanda. In the picture, this year's participants can be seen together with the Swedish politicians who through Sweden's Municipalities and Regions (SKR) are mentors in the program, as well as Rwanda's Minister for Gender Equality Jeannette Bayisenge and Sweden's ambassador to Rwanda Johanna Teague. Photo: ICLD.
Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt
Every year, the International Center for Local Democracy (ICLD) organizes a leadership program for women in local political positions of power in low- and middle-income countries. The aim is to strengthen women in their leadership role to contribute to the development of local democracy. Development magazine has interviewed Anne Scheffer Leander, responsible for the program, about how the promotion of local democracy actually works in practice.
January 23, 2023, Interview
Congo-Kinshasa is trying to stop the advance of the M23 rebels, together with UN peacekeeping forces and troops from the East African Community. Photo: MONUSCO Photos. Source: Flickr.
Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt
November 28, 2022, Development magazine explains
According to researcher Gretchen Baldwin, ethnic tensions are maintained in Rwanda during the country's annual commemoration of the 1994 genocide. Pictured: Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the opening of the 28th edition of Kwibuka in April 2022. Source: Flickr.
Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt
with the country's annual commemoration period. Rwandans are forced to remember the genocide in exactly the ways of thinking that caused the genocide - that one ethnic group is superior to another, according to researcher Gretchen Baldwin. And Hon believes that it is a way for the government to retain power.
November 25, 2022, Interview
One of Inema Arts Center's many initiatives is Art with a Mission, where orphans are trained as Rwanda's next generation of artists. When their art is sold, they can pay school fees and other living expenses. Photo: Inema Arts Center. Source: Inema Arts Center, Rwanda.
Of: Agnes Durbeej-Hjalt
Enema Arts Center is an art gallery in Rwanda with many outstretched hands to Rwandan society. It is primarily a platform for promising artists, but creative workshops are also organized for orphans, schoolchildren and women from vulnerable areas. In a country where a terrible genocide was committed almost 30 years ago, community is both a fragile and a strong concept.
May 12, 2022, FUF-correspondents, Chronicle
