Rwanda, Kenya to sign extradition treaty

KIGALI - The governments of Rwanda and Kenya will this month sign an extradition treaty, that will enable fugitives from justice in their countries to be sent back to face the law. Prosecution spokesman, Augustine Nkusi, said this will be a major boost to the efforts to track down suspects, especially those responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. “The news (about the treaty signing) is big. Since Rwanda is a member of the EAC, movement from country to country will be easier for all our respective citizens and this will make tracking of suspects very easy,” he said. The extradition treaty will be signed later this month when Kenyan government officials led by Attorney General Amos Wako visit. Talks with Zambia, Malawi, South Africa and Burundi on the same subject are at an advanced stage. Rwanda is also seeking to renew the treaty with the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is suspected to harbour many Genocide suspects. There have been several requests for the extradition of suspects in different countries, even some posted on the Interpol Red Notice, but the major impediment has been lack of extradition treaties with the host countries. Nkusi told The New Times that the government had put in place a sub-committee specifically charged with drafting extradition treaty proposals and advising the government on the process. The committee is made up of members from the Ministries of Justice, Foreign Affairs, prosecution and several security organs. British NGO Aegis trust last month put the number of suspected perpetrators of the Genocide against the Tutsi, believed to be moving free in different parts of the world, at 200,000. The Gacaca courts have on their part compiled data suggesting that some 44,204 Rwandans accused of participating in the Genocide are living abroad. Ends

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Rwanda, Kenya to sign extradition treaty