Activists’ vigilant despite Rwanda-France relations

The improving relations between Rwanda and France will not lead, anti-genocide activists group, Collectif des Parties Civiles pour le Rwanda, to relax on its mission of bringing genocide suspects in France to trial.

Saturday, December 05, 2009

The improving relations between Rwanda and France will not lead, anti-genocide activists group, Collectif des Parties Civiles pour le Rwanda, to relax on its mission of bringing genocide suspects in France to trial.

In a statement issued recently, the group reaffirmed its commitment to bringing the fugitives to justice.

It welcomed the recent rejuvenation of the French Justice system which it said has been showing signs of changing for the better.

"The CPCR and all those who support it, however, remain vigilant: the struggle for justice should be intensified,” reads part of the statement.

French Justice Minister Alliot-Marie, recently expressed a wish to create, in France, a unit of specialist investigators for the crimes of genocide and crimes against humanity.

Two French investigative judges recently spent a week here looking into the cases of suspected genocidaires living in France.

CPCR recently filed a court case against Dr. Charles Twagira, another Rwandan living in France, for allegedly being behind killings during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The group notes that this brings to sixteen the number of Rwandans living in France prosecuted for genocide.

Momentum in Europe is gaining against suspected masterminds of the 1994 Genocide and their accomplices.

A Belgian court on Tuesday handled down a 30 year jail term to Ephrem Nkezabera, dubbed"The Banker of the Genocide” for war crimes.

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