Netherlands extradites two Genocide suspects

The Netherlands has deported two Genocide suspects who had been residing in the country. It follows a Dutch court’s ruling to deport Jean-Claude Iyamuremye and Jean-Baptiste Mugimba, for genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG) commended the Dutch government for supporting the cause for justice. “We are happy about this decision from the Netherlands as it comes after we had been requesting for their extradition through normal channels,” said Dr Jean-Damascène Bizimana, executive secretary of CNLG. Mugimba was Secretary General of the Coalition for the Defence of the Republic (CDR), an extremist Hutu political party. According to Bizimana, it shows that foreign countries continue to trust the Rwandan justice system to be able to handle these cases equitably. “It is also good as such criminals need to be tried in the place or country where they committed the crimes. On another hand, this helps survivors of the Genocide to heal better and supports the country’s unity and reconciliation effort,” he added. “We thank the Government of the Netherlands for this step, and urge all other countries out there that still harbor these criminals to emulate this commendable example and extradite them to Rwanda”. According to Prosecutor General Richard Muhumuza, it has been a long drawn out process that has finally culminated in the successful transfer of the suspects to the Kigali Central Prison where they will await trial before the specialized International Crimes Chamber of the High Court. “Both Mugimba and Iyamuremye will be tried for genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, complicity in genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, murder as a crime against humanity and extermination as a crime against humanity committed in Kigali City,.” Muhumuza said Iyamuremye is suspected of having been the leader of the Interahamwe militia in Kicukiro Sector. “The extradition of these key suspects is a message to other fugitives that we will continue to cooperate with other countries to ensure that each and every suspected perpetrator will have his or her day in court. Justice may be delayed, but it will not be denied”. Mugimba was born on October 24, 1959 in then Cyambara, Gaturo Sector, Mutura Commune, Gisenyi Prefecture. During the 1994 Genocide, he lived in Nyakabanda Sector, Nyarugenge Commune in Kigali. He was previously employed by the National Bank of Rwanda (BNR) and was Secretary General of the Coalition for the Defence of the Republic (“CDR”), an extremist Hutu political party. Iyamuremye was born on December 14, 1975, in the former Gatare Cellule, Kicukiro Sector, Kanombe Commune of Kigali City. He is suspected of having been the leader of the Interahamwe militia in Kicukiro Sector and a member of the Mouvement Révolutionnaire National Pour Développement (MRND). editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Netherlands extradites two Genocide suspects