International community can do more to apprehend fugitives

Reports from Brussels indicate that Belgian authorities, Tuesday morning, arrested two Rwandans accused of taking part in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Ernest Gakwaya, and Emmanuel Nkunzuwimye, were picked up from their residences, and taken into custody. Both were notorious members of the Interahamwe militia.This action should serve as a reminder to other countries that they need to cooperate if all those who participated in the genocide, are brought to justice Rwanda, has on several occasions, and in various global fora, called on the West, as well as African countries that harbour the Genocide fugitives, to cooperate in bringing the suspects to book, but the response has not been satisfactory. Genocide is the most heinous crime against humanity. There are laws that compel the international community, to do all within its means to ensure that no perpetrator goes unpunished, wherever they may be. It is important that the countries where suspects are hiding cooperate with Rwandan institutions like the National Public Prosecutions Authority’s Genocide Fugitive Tracking Unit to help arrest the perpetrators. The culture of impunity does not only undermine the spirit of universal justice, but also compromises efforts to make sure such crimes never happen again. It’s time western powers and other countries harboring genocide fugitives took their international obligations seriously and help bring these fugitives to book. Ends

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International community can do more to apprehend fugitives