CNLG seeks compensation for Genocide survivors

KIGALI - The National Commission for the fight against the Genocide (CNLG) has called for a high level consensus on compensation to be given to survivors of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi. The call was made yesterday by CNLG’s Executive Secretary, Jean de Dieu Mucyo, during a one-day conference organized by the commission. The meeting was held to examine the legacy of the United Nation Convention on Genocide as it marked its 61st anniversary. “The conference is organized to raise our voices as usual, in advocating for the survivors’ rights to have justice; not only by holding Genocide culprits accountable, but also seeking compensation for the survivors as a way of improving their lives,” said Mucyo. The move comes at time when compensation appears nowhere in local courts, Gacaca tribunals or the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. The optimistic Mucyo said he has hope that through similar dialogues, the issue will be resolved, but hastened to add that this may take a long process due to complexity of the matter. Theodore Simburudari, the president of IBUKA, an umbrella body of Genocide survivors’ associations, pointed an accusing finger at government accusing it of being reluctant to tackle compensation issues, either by individual culprits or foreign parties, and foreign countries that played a role in the Genocide. “We as a Non Governmental Organization, have no right to file a lawsuit against a certain state, it is only the government of Rwanda that is in a position to do that. Unfortunately nothing has been done,” said Simburudari.He also accused local courts of not lending a hand on the issue. “What can we expect from international courts when even the local courts have not done anything in this regard?” he questioned. He also apportioned blame on parliamentarians for not enacting laws regarding Genocide compensation. Ends