Rwanda genocide survivors against prosecuting suspects in France

Survivors of the 1994 Rwanda genocide have opposed the suggested prosecution of two genocide suspects in French courts.

Theodore Simburudali, president of Ibuka, has made a formal request to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) to demand not to trial suspects in France, according to reports reaching Dar Es Salaam on Monday.

Ibuka, an umbrella organization for all the survivor associations in Rwanda, represents the genocide survivors at national and international levels.

The word Ibuka means "remember" in Rwandese language.

The Ibuka chief argued that France had allegedly played a part in the 1994 genocide.

Theodore Simburudali told a press briefing in Arusha where the United Nations tribunal seats that the survivors were against the plan to move suspects to France in that the European country was not neutral during the conflict in Rwanda.

ICTR prosecutor Hassan Bubacar Jallow has announced plans to transfer the cases of suspects Laurent Bucyibaruta and Abbot Wenceslaus Munyeshyaka to France.

Both suspects are presently exiled in France.

Source: Xinhua