“Prisoners in their own country …’

Outspoken Rwandan government critic Paul Rusesabagina, who became internationally renowned for his efforts to save people during the 1994 genocide, said on July 1 that Rwandans were “prisoners in their own country.”

In his first public message since he walked free from a Rwandan prison in March after more than 900 days behind bars, Mr. Rusesabagina thanked the United States for orchestrating his surprise release from what he described as “hell”.

The “Hotel Rwanda” hero said his video broadcast on YouTube was issued to coincide with Rwanda’s proclamation of independence on July 1, 1962.

“Unfortunately today, 61 years later, Rwandans are still not free. Rwandans are prisoners inside their own country,” said Mr. Rusesabagina, speaking from his home in San Antonio in the U.S. State of Texas.

“Rwanda is an authoritarian government that has no rights for its citizens and doesn’t tolerate dissent for its citizens.”