Kigali, Rwanda – (African Boulevard News) – Genocide survivors in Rwanda are expressing their disappointment over a recent ruling by the United Nations court to permanently halt the trial of an elderly suspect. The decision has left many survivors feeling let down and questioning the commitment of the international community to justice and accountability.
The suspect in question is Felicien Kabuga, a wealthy businessman accused of financing and arming the Hutu militias responsible for the mass killing of Tutsis during the 1994 genocide. Kabuga had been on the run for over two decades before being arrested in France in 2020 and transferred to the UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) in The Hague.
The decision to halt Kabuga’s trial was met with anger and frustration from survivors who have been seeking justice for their loved ones who perished in the genocide. Beatrice Mukarwego, a survivor and activist, expressed her disappointment, saying, “We were hopeful that Kabuga’s trial would serve as a reminder of the pain and suffering endured by millions of Rwandans. This decision feels like a betrayal.”
Critics argue that halting the trial sends a dangerous message that perpetrators of genocide can escape justice simply by evading capture for long enough. Survivors have been calling for a thorough investigation to uncover the full extent of Kabuga’s involvement and to ensure that all those responsible for the genocide are held accountable.
Martin Ngoga, former Rwandan Prosecutor General and International Criminal Court consultant, stated, “This decision undermines the credibility of the international justice system and casts doubt on its commitment to bringing justice to the victims of genocide. Survivors deserve better.”
The disappointment felt by survivors is not unfounded. The UN’s International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) was established to prosecute the most senior perpetrators of the genocide, but its mandate ended in 2015, leaving a number of cases unresolved. The IRMCT was created to continue the tribunal’s work, but the decision to halt Kabuga’s trial has raised concerns about the effectiveness and commitment of these institutions.
Moving forward, survivors and activists are calling for a reevaluation of the international justice system to ensure that it is not only capable of holding those responsible accountable but also responsive to the needs and expectations of survivors. Without justice, there can be no true healing for the survivors of the Rwanda genocide.
In conclusion, the UN court’s decision to permanently halt Felicien Kabuga’s trial has left genocide survivors in Rwanda disappointed and questioning the commitment of the international community to justice. The decision undermines the credibility of the international justice system and sends a dangerous message to perpetrators that they can escape accountability. Survivors and activists are calling for a reevaluation of the system to ensure justice and healing for those who suffered in the genocide.
