Upcoming Genocide Cases
Cases involving genocide suspects – and the inevitable appeals that follow – continue to be very slowly scheduled for trial, usually after investigations that have lasted more than a decade, but sometimes two. In France the long awaited trials of Sosthène Munyemana as well as the former policeman Philippe Hategekimana are now on-going or have taken place. That of medical doctor Eugene Rwamucyo is still awaited – as are dozens of others still in the investigation phase as the small French police ‘genocide unit’ is overwhelmed with work. There are likely to be appeals by the former prefect Laurent Bucyibaruta and driver Claude Muhayimana but these may not happen until 2024/5. Belgian has finally begun trials of two cases while UN prosecutors continue to press South Africa to hand over the genocide suspect Fulgence Kayishema who was finally arrested in May 2023. However, bringing him to trial – in Arusha or Kigali – could well last many months if not years given the political and financial considerations that always take precedence over justice. In the UK, of course, there is no action to report – only impunity.
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