Extradite Teganya to Rwanda to face justice

RE: “Rwandan who sought asylum after Genocide faces U.S. fraud charge” (The New Times, August 7). The US should extradite Jean-Léonard Teganya to Rwanda. Many perpetrators of the Genocide against the Tutsi have been involved in lying about their role in the planning and execution of the Genocide that claimed over a million people in just 100 days.

Tuesday, August 08, 2017

Editor,

RE: "Rwandan who sought asylum after Genocide faces U.S. fraud charge” (The New Times, August 7). The US should extradite Jean-Léonard Teganya to Rwanda. Many perpetrators of the Genocide against the Tutsi have been involved in lying about their role in the planning and execution of the Genocide that claimed over a million people in just 100 days.

This is the case of Dr Vincent Bajinya, who changed his name to Vincent Brown to acquire asylum in the UK; Vincent Murekezi, who named himself Vincent Banda so that he could enjoy a safe haven in Malawi; Gervais Ngombwa, who named himself Kenny Ngombwa, just to mention a few.

Of course as the saying goes, you can’t run from yourself. This means that Genocide perpetrators can make much effort to flee justice but they will eventually be caught and arraigned before court to account for their deeds.

With Mr Teganya due to appear in Boston federal court this week on charges of immigration fraud and perjury, I hope the court will also consider the report by Canadian officials that concluded that Jean-Léonard Teganya took part in atrocities against the Tutsi at the hospital where he worked as a trainee in the former Butare (now Huye District).

As Rwandan, what we just need is to see Genocide perpetrators held accountable for their deeds, whether extradited or not. However, it would be better if Mr Teganya is extradited to Rwanda so he can be tried in the country where he is suspected to have committed the crimes.

Bemba