EDITORIAL: Rwanda must not give up the quest for Justice

A French court this week dropped charges against a top genocidaire – Father Wenceslas Munyeshyaka. For close to two decades, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) had an open file on the priest who was in charge of one of the major killing fields in Kigali during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi – Saint Famille church. After years of trying to get their hands on Munyeshyaka, the ICTR gave up and handed over the file to French prosecutors. Those who had pinned their hopes high that the priest would finally get his day in court – even if it was to clear his name – can as well forget it. French prosecutors have overruled the ICTR indictment and dropped the charges. The decision by the French judicial system did not come as a surprise though. Despite the decision, Rwandans must not let up. It is important that the Rwandan people continue to pursue the architects and perpetrators of the Genocide, however long it may take or wherever they may be. Those unwilling to mete out justice to perpetrators of the Genocide are only protecting and keeping killers in their backyards. Many Genocide suspects still move freely in European cities without fear of prosecution. Over the years, that unexplained inaction has strengthened Rwandans’ resolve not to depend too much on anyone to exorcise the 1994 demons. Survivors and the Rwandan people in general must continue to draw strengths from such injustices and build a better country for themselves and future generations.

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EDITORIAL: Rwanda must not give up the quest for Justice