Hirondelle News Agency (Lausanne)
April 15, 2009
Arusha — The umbrella association of genocide survivors (IBUKA) has said that western world has duty to help in tracking down fugitives of 1994 Rwandan genocide, decrying slow justice system or showing insensitiveness to the crimes committed by the suspects.
Speaking during a ceremony in Kigali Tuesday to pay homage to 25 United States Embassy staff who were among victims of the 15 years ago heinous killings, IBUKA President, Theodore Simburudali, said that some of these fugitives were freely enjoying freedom in the western world, according to New Times of Rwanda.
He considered that concerted efforts were needed to fight perpetrators of the genocide and bring them to justice, adding that efforts by western countries to tackle the issue seem to be slow and not very helpful.
"Genocide survivors are disappointed in the way western countries handle cases involving genocide perpetrators," he said.
The IBUKA president was apparently referring to the recent decision by British Court not to extradite genocide suspects to Kigali.
The four top former officials-- Vincent Bajinya, Charles Munyaneza, Celestin Ugirashebuja and Emmanuel Nteziryayo -- all indicted by the Rwandan Prosecutor General's Office for masterminding the genocide.
He also pointed to Canada, which has up to now failed to extradite Leon Mugesera, whose alleged hate speech made him famous as one of the most prominent preachers of genocide, as he called on Hutus to kill Tutsis and send them to Abyssinia (current Ethiopia) through Nyabarongo River.
He also condemned the United States for the same cause against people like a certain Eliezer Zihirambere and Leopold Munyakazi.
"You should alert your population, because these guys may rape and violate your girls and women if you don't bring them to justice," he warned.
US Ambassador to Rwanda, Stuart Symington, said that it is a pity that the world failed Rwanda by not coming to its rescue, which according to him could mean that the world failed the world.
Charles Mugabo who spoke on behalf of the embassy staff said that hope can be perceived through the young survivors who are struggling in university studies, which sends a message that the future has a different story from the past.
"Fifteen years after the genocide, Rwanda has a lot to tell to the rest of the world, demonstrating that it is possible to go beyond atrocities and work for development," he said, adding that their thoughts and support go to survivors of genocide."
The US Embassy also promised school fees for the orphans for the second term which is expected to open next week, reported New Times.
Related Materials:
Rwandan Government Protests UK’s Refusal to Extradite Genocide Suspects
Rwandan Genocide and Reconciliation: Samputu dismisses IBUKA ‘Negationist’ accusations
I can't believe if this guy SIMBURUDALI has is mind straight!Or is a just what we call in french CAISSE DE RESONNANCE.
ReplyDeleteI meant just someone appointeed to defend the government strategy on getting away with peoples it want out of his way.Definitely it does not look that he is out to look for the remembrance or genocide survivors interest.
That is the best joke I have heard.Especially concerning Leopold MUNYAKAZI.
"He also condemned the United States for the same cause against people like a certain Eliezer Zihirambere and Leopold Munyakazi.
"You should alert your population, because these guys may rape and violate your girls and women if you don't bring them to justice," he (SIMBURUDALI) warned.My question to this fellow before he goes on blaming the USA,can he tell us who provideed a passport to Munyakazi to travel abroad?Can he tell us how Leopold MUNYAKAZI was released from prison and fully cleared on the accusation of Genocide? Can this fellow tell us precisely where and when did MUNYAKAZI raped,killed women?
With guys like SIMBURUDALI I fear that soon the world will be treating the Genocide of Tutsis as an old song set up for some political purpose.
It is very infortunate. What this guy does ignore is that the world has start getting tired.I can guarantee that Americans are not dumbs.