Kabuga family protests insult to Genocide survivors

 Félicien Kabuga, the financer of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, is on trial at the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals’ The Hague branch, in The Netherlands.

Once one of the most wanted Genocide suspects, the 89-year old had been on the run for close to three decades, and was able to hide with the help of his large rich family. He moved with different passports to secret homes in countries, including France, where he was arrested in May 2020.

Before the UN court, Kabuga was charged with seven counts, including five related to genocide; genocide, complicity in genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, attempt to commit genocide, and conspiracy to commit genocide. Other charges include persecution and extermination – both as crimes against humanity, all committed between April 6 and July 17, 1994.

For Genocide survivors, seeing a man who purchased weapons worth millions of dollars, used by killers during the Genocide to exterminate their loved ones, put to trial, proved that justice can still be served. Kabuga was a major shareholder of the hate radio station, RTLM, that called upon the population to massacre the Tutsi. The radio gave killers detailed information on the people to be massacred and where to find them.

As if Kabuga’s crimes – which have been coming to light during his trial – are not enough, his family decided to forge a new form of torture to the victims whose hearts are still bleeding.

In a video circulating on social media, Donatien Kabuga, Kabuga’s son, is seen calling for demonstrations, on November 24, at The Hague court, where his father’s trial was ongoing. Donatien calls for fair justice for his father, whom he said is accused of crimes related to the ‘events that happened in Rwanda in 1994’. He described his father as weak and ill, due to not receiving daily medical care. Kabuga junior said his father will not get a fair trial since he does have not a lawyer he trusts since his assets were frozen. For Genocide survivors listening to such lies, the pain is unbearable.

Contrary to what Kabuga’s family says, the UN Tribunal ruled that Kabuga is fit enough to stand trial, and his ‘sickness’ is expected putting his age in consideration. The Trial Chamber rejected all the requests to change counsel because that would unnecessarily delay proceedings.

Denying his involvement in the 1994 Genocide, and calling it events that happened in Rwanda, is another stab. One month down in his trial, facts of his atrocities and involvement in the Genocide are slowly coming to light.

So far, the IRMCT has heard from various witnesses who pinned Kabuga on his crimes, from hosting Interahamwe gatherings, to being responsible for the broadcasts of hate radio RTLM, to buying, and distributing weapons for genocidaires. About 50 witnesses are expected to reveal more about his crimes.

As these events unfold, the international community, the government of The Netherlands, and the court should put a stop to Donatien’s evil plot of fueling genocide denial.

 Kabuga’s family helped him evade justice for 28 years, well knowing that he was guilty.

They should not be allowed to add insults to injuries.