European countries need to increase their efforts in bringing more perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi to justice, says Ibuka, the umbrella organisation of Genocide survivors’ associations. Ibuka made this call after a Belgian court on Monday, June 10, handed Emmanuel Nkunduwimye a sentence of 25 years in prison after he was found guilty of Genocide crimes in the Genocide against the Tutsi. ALSO READ: Belgium: Nkunduwimye sentenced to 25 years in prison for Genocide 65-year-old Nkunduwimye, also known as Bomboko, had been on trial since April 8. The Brussels Court of Assizes convicted the former resident of Cyahafi, a Kigali suburb of genocide crimes, crimes against humanity and rape during the Genocide against the Tutsi. “Although there is no fitting punishment for someone who sought to exterminate people, we have welcomed the sentencing of Nkunduwimye for his role in the Genocide against the Tutsi,” said Naftal Ahishakiye, Secretary General of Ibuka. Nkunduwimye committed the crimes in Kigali. During the Genocide, he was often seen in military attire and armed. He was frequently seen with Georges Rutanga, a genocidaire convicted by the UN tribunal, and the Interahamwe militia leader Robert Kajuga, according to witnesses. “We appreciate the work done by the Belgian court. We appreciate the effort of countries that are increasing the political will to bring the Genocide perpetrators to book,” he said. Ahishakiye added however that more efforts and political will is needed to try the Genocide suspects who are still on the run. ALSO READ: Last ICTR Genocide fugitives confirmed dead “It has been 30 years since the Genocide, and therefore bringing the perpetrators before the courts of law should be a matter of urgency. Genocide survivors have waited for too long and they need justice,” he said. Belgium and France host the biggest number of Genocide perpetrators who fled to Europe and the arrest warrants for their criminals have been issued, said Ahishakiye. ALSO READ: Who is Dr. Rwamucyo, a Genocide suspect to be tried soon in France? ALSO READ: Where are the 1,100 Genocide fugitives? He noted that in recent years the two countries had increased the efforts in bringing the Genocide suspects to justice. “When you talk to the judicial officials in these countries you get a sense that more Genocide suspects will be tried in the coming days,” he said. “But given the period since 1994 there needs to be a lot of rigour to try all the Genocide suspects who are on their territories. Many suspects can be tried simultaneously, instead of having one going on trial for two to four months. Where possible the Genocide trials should be carried our simultaneously. We will continue to advocate for that in order for the Genocide survivors to get the justice they deserve.” Nkunduwimye fled Rwanda in 1995 to Kenya. He later relocated to Belgium in 1998, where he obtained refugee status in 2003 and citizenship in 2005. There are more than 1,000 Genocide fugitives who are still at large, according to Rwandan authorities.
