KIGALI - Ten Swedish Parliamentarians yesterday met Rwandan lawmakers with whom they discussed various issues that mainly focused on the presence of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)militia in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC), The New Times reports

During the talks, Senator Joseph Karemera told the visiting Swedish lawmakers that, basing on the country’s history, the Rwandan government had taken a stand and would not waver from it.

"Division in Rwanda is outlawed. From our history, we saw what it can do and we cannot tolerate it at all,” he said.
Karemera also questioned the continued existence of Genocide perpetrators in several parts of the world, and joined other senators in asking for their extradition to face justice.

"When people say that we are heavy-handed, I think that is unfair. It’s like if someone asked you how tolerant you are to Al Qaeda. The questions should be; why do the genocidaires continue to enjoy protection from the European countries 16 years later?” he said.

Linda Nordin Gabelic, also part of the group but representing the UN Association of Sweden, acknowledged the issue of Genocide fugitives in Europe but pointed out that a lot was being done to follow them up.

"Yes, there are genocidaires in Europe, but we are also aware that the UN is taking this very seriously. We cannot continue to have them living in our countries,” she said
Christian Holm, from the Swedish Moderate Party, said that his country was very interested in what has been going on in Rwanda for the last 16 years.

The Speaker of Parliament, Rose Mukantabana, assured the Swedish MPs that a lot of progress had been made between the DRC and Rwandan government on several issues pertaining to regional security.

The Swedish came to Rwanda after visiting DRC.
Mukantabana said that the FDLR issue is not a Rwandan or regional issue alone, but also concerned the entire International Community.

"The issue also concerns the International Community which continues to arm and feed these insurgents. Your role is to spread the gospel of peace and security that Rwanda is currently enjoying. It is also your contribution to tell FDLR to come and rebuild the country that they helped destroy,” she said.

The FDLR is largely composed of elements responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and been operate in the eastern part of the DRC.

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