Canada Arrests Rwandan Genocide Suspect

Two days ago Canada set an example for the rest of the world. And that example was that no war criminal (though of course, he will have a fair trial) can enter Canada and expect to lead a life where his responsibility in things like genocide goes ignored.

The Toronto Star's October 19th edition reports that a Rwandan man by the name of Desire Munyaneza was arrested by the RCMP for his involvement in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda that killed 800,000 people - in their mayority Tutsi. He was arrested under Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act and becomes the first person to be arrested under this law. You can read the full article here.

He will be facing trial in Montreal on two counts of genocide, two counts of crimes against humanity and three counts of war crimes in the attacks against Tutsis at the National University of Rwanda and southern Kigali (as of Oct. 21 he has already been arraigned on those 7 counts).

I will add my congratulations to Canada to those of the rest of Rwanda, the U.N. and the rest of the worldwide community. Canada has shown the highest level of commitment to human rights and to holding people accountable for their violations throughout time and this is just another great example of it. Other countries around the world should be more like Canada in this regard. There should be laws and policies set in place so that no genocide perpetrator, or any other serious human rights violator, can enjoy impunity.

This clearly is a bright start. Canada has shown us the way - a way in where international cooperation works for the good of human kin & where caring for human rights becomes every nation's responsibility.

Tags: Current events, International, In the News, News and Politics, Rwanda, Canada