GASABO - Rwanda has welcomed a recent decision by Canada to lift the ban on deporting Rwandans living in Canada illegally.Rwanda says the decision will help in tracking down those accused of having participated in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

It’s believed that close to 1000 Rwandans are living in Canada illegally with 400 having been denied refugee status.

Their deportation had been halted on grounds that Rwanda was still considered "too dangerous.”

Prosecutor General Martin Ngoga said that the decision would help bring to justice those who have found a safe haven in Canada and yet they are accused of taking part in the 1994 genocide.

"They should first deal with those accused of serious crimes,” Ngoga told The New Times, explaining that Rwanda’s interest is not whether people live there legally or illegally but rather to allow justice to prevail.

A number of people accused of participating in the 1994 genocide live freely in Canada, including Leon Mugesera whose infamous hate speech in 1993 called for mass killing of the Tutsi and "send them back to Abyssinia through Akagera River.”

Through its Public Safety Ministry, Canada announced the decision to lift deportation ban to illegal immigrants from Burundi, Liberia and Rwanda, citing "improved conditions” in those countries.

Close to 2100 people are likely to be affected by the decision.

Canada has nonetheless given six months to those illegally living on its soil to apply for permanent resident status or they would risk deportation.

Ends