Rwanda: Genocide survivors condemn suspect’s acquittal
The ex-minister for trade Mugenzi (left) and Mugiraneza (right) The head of Public service in 1994
The umbrella of Rwanda Genocide survivors’ associations (IBUKA) has strongly condemned the acquittal of two genocide suspects who had previously been convicted of genocide crimes and sentenced to 30 years in jail.
The duo, Justin Mugenzi and Prosper Mugiraneza, were released on February 4 at the Arusha based International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) by the Appeals Chamber during the hearing of Order for Appeals Judgement.
They are former ministers of the Government of Rwanda at the time of the genocide in April 1994, and had been previously convicted of conspiracy to commit genocide and direct and public incitement to commit genocide.
In a statement reacting to the release, The President of IBUKA, Professor Jean Pierre Dusingizemungu said “This acquittal is another nail in the coffin of the victims of the genocide, and a smack in the face for survivors of the genocide too.
He added: “The ICTR has delivered nothing for either the victims or the survivors of the genocide, delivering no compensation for the horrific atrocities committed during the genocide planned and perpetrated by the Government of which Mugenzi and Mugiraneza were indisputably members – even though the ICTR denies that they were actively involved.”
