Wednesday, 31 October 2012

'Genocide Denial' sends Victoire Ingabire to Jail

Analysis by Nicodemus Minde & Other sources

The jailing of Rwandan political opposition leader Madame Victoire Ingabire by a Rwandan Court is an indication of the not so democratic and enviable leadership of Paul Kagame.  Madame Ingabire has been sentenced to eight years in prison for treason and genocide denial, a charge stemming from the central African nation's murderous ethnic attacks 18 years ago. This protracted trial saw saw her not been able to contest the presidency two years ago. President Kagame faced a weak and disjointed opposition winning the poll by a landslide. Victoire Ingabire returned to Rwanda in 2010 after living abroad for 16 years and quickly visited the country's genocide memorial, where she asked why Hutus killed in the violence were not recognised like the minority Tutsis were. 
 
She was charged for genocide denial, a crime which has been heavily criticised in Rwanda and internationally. This crime is selective and aims to blanket the a true analysis of the genocide that happened in Rwanda in 1994. Ingabire's lawyer, Iain Edwards, said Ingabire will appeal the court's ruling. It is highly unlikely that she will get a fair trial in Rwanda. Speaking to BBC Swahili Service, her lawyer said that they'll invoke the African Commission Charter to seek further redress. I hope that Madame Ingabire will seek further audince with the African Commission of Human and Peoples' Rights to redress her plight.

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