ICTR's archives debacle just sums up its mandate

Dear Editor, RE: Thierry Kevin Gatete’s piece “To the ICTR: Give us our archives!” (The New Times, December 8). The mistake some people make is in assuming that the ICTR was ever established in the interest of the people of Rwanda. It is always wise to look at actions and those they benefit most rather than high-sounding declarations of the powerful who never lifted their littlest finger as our people were being exterminated – that is when they were not in direct collusion with the killers, whom they continue to shield from justice to this day. On this measure, the ICTR can hardly be said to have contributed much to the healing of the Rwandan society. Why would you expect it to finally do the right thing as it closes its doors? I have had an excellent laugh at the thought of expecting those who created and have been calling the ICTR shots ever being bothered by the need to do the right thing, ever! They are a law unto themselves and believe that the right thing is whatever they decide it is – at any given time; it can be A or its opposite, as and whenever they choose it to be so. Morality? Poof, how quaint! Many of these people say the problem with Rwandans is that we take ourselves too seriously; that we dont seem to understand everything, including things like the ICTR, refugees, conflicts and other disasters, is just another opportunity to make money, lots of it, livelihoods and careers. Well, to Mr Gatete, I say, thanks for the humour, as they say laughter is the best medicine. Mwene Kalinda ****************************** Not least, there is the pending issue of how most of those archives were acquired: Through which process, did property of the government of Rwanda transfer to become property of the ICTR? Were they voluntarily offered to the ICTR by a legitimate, mandated official, or simply scrounged and smuggled by investigators and peacekeepers? That conversation can be candid, legal (with damages) or redundant; depending on whether the ICTR will hand the archives to Rwanda or not!In all likelihood, the ICTR people will be forgotten as they came. Still, this is their last chance to do the right thing – for a change. Gatete

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ICTR's archives debacle just sums up its mandate