The Rwandan parliament this week released a resolution in response to what it characterised as an attempt by European parliament to “improperly influence an ongoing judicial proceeding” and called on their European counterparts to “retract (their) resolution given the inviolability of the principle of judicial independence and separation of powers.” The case in question relates to one of the suspects in the MRCD-FLN case before the High Court Chamber for International and Cross-Border Crimes, which involves 21 defendants, but the European parliament bizarrely seeks the release of just one of them. Indeed, the court started hearing the joint case in substance on Wednesday, with the next sitting due next Friday. The hearing relates to deadly attacks by MRCD-FLN militia that claimed at least nine lives and left many others wounded. More than 80 people are seeking damages. Several high-profile figures and combatants associated with the militia group, including its leader Paul Rusesabagina and his deputy and spokesperson Callixte Nsabimana, Herman Nsengimana (who had replaced Nsabimana as spokesperson), have since been arrested or captured in action. Since the case is already before court we will not get into the arguments and submissions under consideration by court but we join those who have condemned attempts to interfere in matters that are being Rwandan courts. The country’s judicial independence must be respected. The case is being heard in the open, with Wednesday’s session even live-streamed, because there is nothing to hide. As a matter of fact, several Kigali-based diplomats and staff from a number of embassies, including Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Sweden, UK and the US, as well as representatives of the European Union and American Bar Association Centre for Human Rights attended the proceedings in person. This country’s judicial system has, over the years, proved to be independent and impartial in dispensing justice. That’s why western and UN jurisdictions have transferred cases or extradited suspects to Rwanda. Rwanda’s judicial system has been empowered to ensure a fair hearing of any case that comes before any local court. It is an insult for the European parliament and western lobbies, or anyone for that matter, to undermine these efforts through biased and unfounded allegations. These condescending and neocolonial tendencies must stop.
