International
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.