Activists rally support for Genocide trials in France

A newly formed local NGO whose main objective is to fundraise and provide any other support to its France-based counterpart says it is determined to do whatever it takes to help bring Genocide suspects in France to book despite the odds. The President of Association Les Amis du Collectif des Parties Civiles pours le Rwanda (ACPCR), Dr Ezéchias Rwabuhihi, stressed this on Thursday as he addressed journalists during a press conference at the newly formed organisation’s headquarters in Kigali. Accompanied by other ACPCR leaders and Ibuka’s first vice president, Egide Nkuranga, Dr Rwabuhihi said people who think the Genocide trials in France are a waste of time because the French establishment cannot allow for fair trials are wrong because whatever happens, there are positives to draw from the trials. Ibuka is the umbrella body for Genocide survivors’ associations. France remains a safe haven to numerous known Genocide criminals, he acknowledged, and this frustrates people who want to see justice prevail. “Even if there are delays and numerous challenges, it is good those cases are heard in court because the criminals’ backers don’t want this to happen. All these challenges cannot be known if things don’t go to court,” Rwabuhihi said. “There are challenges that we make out already but when trials happen, we even get to know more, including the backers of these criminals. Our objective is not to give up in supporting the CPCR and, fighting the culture of impunity,” he added. For nearly two decades after the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, the France-based Collectif des Parties Civiles pours le Rwanda (CPCR) has worked hard to see Genocide suspects living in France brought to book. It recently helped launch, the ACPCR as a Rwandan-based partner to help it carry on with its crusade against Genocide fugitives. Another important reason they cannot give up on the trials in France, he said, is that court hearings will reveal more truths about how the Genocide was hatched. Many more blameless French nationals, he said, will learn their government’s complicity in the 1994 massacres and possibly in the continued cover-ups and denial. “Also important is that Rwandans must continuously be aware that the crime of Genocide does not age. The criminals might think that they have run, and are protected by their friends but the crime stays with them.” Ibuka’s first Vice President thanked Dr Rwabuhihi’s team and pledged to support them in all ways possible. Fundraising campaign Alain Gauthier, President of CPCR, in the past admitted that the trials are very costly and his group has run out of funds to ably see them through. The CPCR has filed 28 cases with investigating judges of the “pôle crimes contre l’humanité” established in January 2012 at the Paris Court. Dr Rwabuhihi said: “These trials are very costly. We have about 28 cases already prepared by the CPCR. Experts, lawyers are required. You can imagine, the entire two months’ duration of the current trial will cost a lot. We believe Rwandans need to come to the aid of CPCR which has struggled on its own for the past many years.” To paint a picture on how costly the trials are, Dr Rwabuhihi told The New Times that more than Rwf100 million was spent in the Simbikangwa trial alone. The ACPCR, which is also looking to increase its membership has opened bank accounts in COGEBANQUE and is appealing for donations from the general public. Donations in Rwandan francs can be banked on 0006-01390130333-83, US dollars on 0006-01390130967-38 and Euros on 0006-01390130968-39. Swift Code is: CGBKRWRW. Nothing historic about trials in France Dr Rwabuhihi also stressed that there is nothing historic about the trials in France, including the first one of Pascal Simbikangwa – intelligence chief of the genocidal regime – that started in February 2014 and concluded a month later. Simbikangwa was handed a 25-year prison sentence for Genocide and complicity in crimes against humanity but he appealed and the appeal hearing is set for October 25 to December 9 at the Cour d’assises de Bobigny, in Paris. editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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Activists rally support for Genocide trials in France