The culture of impunity must end

Editor, I totally agree with Prosecutor General, Martin Ngoga, who stated in The New Times of March 19, that countries in Europe must decide to either extradite Genocide suspects roaming their streets, or keep “them as their citizens”.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Lu00e9on Mugesera (L), who was deported from Canada earlier this year and Beatrice Munyenyezi, another Genocide suspect in the US. The New Times/File.

Editor,I totally agree with Prosecutor General, Martin Ngoga, who stated in The New Times of March 19, that countries in Europe must decide to either extradite Genocide suspects roaming their streets, or keep "them as their citizens”.

The world looks to be in the mood of fighting a culture of impunity, yet by refusing to prosecute these suspects, the West is undermining the rule of the law and exercising the highest levels of double standards.Rwanda has initiated several reforms in the judicial sector and there is no reason why Genocide suspects cannot be tried in the country. Beatrice Munyenyezi, the Genocide suspect, whose case was last week declared a mistrial by a US judge, as well as other fugitives, must have their day in court and argue their innocence.It is ironical that the countries who keep lecturing developing countries on the need to observe the rule of law are the very ones who promote impunity and show no sympathy to the victims of the most horrendous crimes committed by those they seek to cover up for.Munyenyezi is one of those Genocide fugitives who changed their identities in a bid to evade justice. It’s disheartening that some have benefited from the indifference of their host countries to secure good jobs and lead comfortable lives in the west! The world must not accept this madness; we must not succumb to impunity.Eugene BahiziNyamata