German delegation calls on Chief Justice Rugege

A visiting delegation of members of the United Nations Association of Germany (UNAG) yesterday commended Rwanda for ensuring effective justice to the victims and perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Speaking after meeting with the Chief Justice, Prof. Sam Rugege, the head of the 25-member delegation, De Ekkehard Griep, said his team got an opportunity to learn more about the Gacaca court system introduced to restore justice after the Genocide. “We got the impression that Rwanda has achieved a lot in terms of justice system,” Griep said. Prof. Rugege briefed the delegation on several issues ranging from the impact of Gacaca on Rwanda’s economic progress, Rwanda’s relations with the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), and the composition of the DR Congo based Rwandan militia group, FDLR. “Rwanda would not have achieved economic stability with a divided society. It was important to unite the communities so that they can work collectively and in good spirit,” said Rugege. He further told the delegation that he finds no reason as to why the UN would not have the ICTR archives reside in their original home, Rwanda. “FDLR is a group whose members have terrorised DR Congo for the last 20 years. We still don’t understand why the mighty UN has failed to flash them out,” Rugege said. Griep said his team is due to meet with the Monusco officials as part of their visit. Griep’s delegation is in Rwanda on a week-long tour. Prior to their meeting with the Chief Justice, the team met with members of the parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Security. The UN Association of Germany is a non-profit making organisation that strives to inform the German public about the aims, institutions and activities of the UN.

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German delegation calls on Chief Justice Rugege