Habyarimana’s wife appeals asylum snub

The wife of former President Juvenal Habyarimana, Agatha Kanziga Habyarimana, is today scheduled to appear in a top French court (le Conseil d’Etat), over her appeal for asylum.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

The wife of former President Juvenal Habyarimana, Agatha Kanziga Habyarimana, is today scheduled to appear in a top French court (le Conseil d’Etat), over her appeal for asylum.

The case of the woman who is among the top wanted fugitives responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi is being closely monitored by an umbrella organisation – "Collectif des Parties Civiles pour le Rwanda” (CPCR), which earlier filed a case against her.

CPCR is a European based organisation advocating for the rights of the 1994 Genocide survivors.

"She will go to court on Wednesday afternoon. Previously, she was denied asylum so now it is like an appeal she presented to this court,” Daphrose Mukarumongi, a CPCR member told The New Times over the phone from Paris, France yesterday

Mrs Habyarimana’s battle for refugee status moves to Paris’ State Council, which is the supreme authority in administrative matters after her request for asylum was earlier turned down by France’s refugee office (OFPRA).

"One would not expect an immediate result after the court session. You know it normally takes some time, but we are following this case closely. We are the ones who filed a case against her,” said Mukarumongi.

"We sued her for genocide related crimes and we are watching closely.

Right now she is someone without papers here in France, but what is so surprising, is that no one has bothered to question that.

This simply means there is something sinister, something suspicious.”

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