German state police vows hunt down Genocide fugitives

German state police in the Rhineland Palatinate has revealed that it will do everything in its powers to see that several Genocide fugitives currently roaming the streets of Europe are brought to book. Speaking at Kigali Genocide Memorial Centre in Gisozi, the visiting Head of Police of Rhineland Palatinate, Joachim Laux, said that his department will play a vehement role in hunting down perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who have for long evaded justice and are still at large in European countries. Europe is currently home to many Genocide fugitives like Callixte Mbarushimana (France), Francois Bazaramba (Finland) while the head of the FDLR rebels operating in eastern DRC, Ignace Murwanashyaka is still at large in Germany. Laux, is in the country for a 5-day visit to discuss possible cooperation and assistance to the Rwanda National Police. “Perpetrators wherever they are, deserve to be punished for the wrong they did. Germany has an important role to play in order to bring them to book in order for justice to prevail,” he said yesterday. He added that the similar history of the two countries should serve lessons to instil respect for human kind and people’s lives, their cultures and recognition of what they do. “If we all had the love for one another, Rwanda and Germany would not have experienced the brutal killings that befell their people. It is very unfortunate that we did not do enough to stop these tragedies,” he said. Laux’s visit coincided with a date that marked exactly 7 months since the Director of state protocol, Rose Kabuye, was arrested in Frankfurt, Germany but he declined to comment about the matter referring to the issue as political. “Its unfortunate but I cannot comment on that issue, all I see is that we should continue and aim at working together in different areas,” Joachim said. Rhineland Palatinate Police currently funds the renovation of the RNP academy in Musanze district, Northern Province and they look forward to helping the force in the traffic department by offering training and sharing experience to strengthen cooperation. Ends