If it’s OK for Sierra Leone, why not Rwanda?

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) never ceases to amaze.One would tend to believe that the Common Law confrontational system of court debates goes everywhere with it, always looking to pick a fight.The hullaballoo surrounding the fate of the ICTR archives should not be an issue in the first place. By continuously dangling the possibility that it might move the archives elsewhere but Kigali, is more than an insult and should not be taken lying down.If the archives of the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) will remain in Sierra Leone why not give Rwanda what truly belong to it; albeit its sad legacy?The archives are a basis on which lies the history of how a million souls perished and in therein also lays the key to prevent another bout of madness and save our future generations. Holding a whole country at ransom over its undeniable rights should not be acceptable.The earlier the government takes this matter firmly in its hands the better. Otherwise it risks falling into the ICTR’s favourite trap: they will goad you into locking horns, and when their backs are against the walls, will cry foul!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) never ceases to amaze.

One would tend to believe that the Common Law confrontational system of court debates goes everywhere with it, always looking to pick a fight.

The hullaballoo surrounding the fate of the ICTR archives should not be an issue in the first place. By continuously dangling the possibility that it might move the archives elsewhere but Kigali, is more than an insult and should not be taken lying down.

If the archives of the Special Court for Sierra Leone (SCSL) will remain in Sierra Leone why not give Rwanda what truly belong to it; albeit its sad legacy?

The archives are a basis on which lies the history of how a million souls perished and in therein also lays the key to prevent another bout of madness and save our future generations.

Holding a whole country at ransom over its undeniable rights should not be acceptable.

The earlier the government takes this matter firmly in its hands the better. Otherwise it risks falling into the ICTR’s favourite trap: they will goad you into locking horns, and when their backs are against the walls, will cry foul!

Ends