EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA
IN THE NETHERLANDS

The Hague ,24 January 2012

Canada deported Leon Mugesera, to face justice in Rwanda where he called for extermination of Tutsi in his famous 1992 speech. This deportation ends Mugesera’s 15-year legal battle to avoid returning to Rwanda.
Leon Mugesera is expected to land at Kigali International airport this Tuesday 24. For reasons of operational security, Canadian authorities would not confirm his departure.
However, Canadian Public Safety Minister Vic Toews' spokesman Mike Patton, said that "Canada has been resolute in its determination to see Leon Mugesera face justice in connection with allegations of promoting the genocide of hundreds of thousands of innocent people in Rwanda in the early 1990s."
Mugesera, now 59, made an infamous speech in 1992 that played a major role in sparking the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, in which radical ethnic Hutus killed over one million Tutsis.
Two Canadian courts earlier Monday rejected last-ditch appeals to delay his deportation for six months so the United Nations Committee Against Torture could probe a claim that he faces political persecution in Rwanda.
Mugesera is among the first Western refugee claimants to be sent back to face charges in Rwanda. His deportation follows the case of Jean Uwinkindi who will also face justice in Rwanda for his role in genocide against the Tutsi. His file was handed over to Rwandan Prosecution Authority by International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) last week.
The continued handing over of genocide suspects and perpetrators to Rwandan judiciary is an international community acknowledgement of the important advancements Rwanda has made in terms of law reform and capacity building within the justice system. The Rwandan legal system is consistent with international standards.
As the Gacaca courts system has proven, Rwandans are committed to a form of justice that respects the rights of all concerned, as well as facilitating reconciliation.

Contact:

Eric RUGAMBA
Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda, The Hague
+31 70 392 65 71
erugamba@minaffet.gov.rw

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA
IN THE NETHERLANDS

The Hague ,16 January 2012

FOR THE FIRST TIME, ICTR REFERS GENOCIDE CASE TO RWANDA

Kigali 16 January 2012 Former Pentecostal pastor and genocide suspect, Mr. Jean Uwinkindi, will face trial in Kigali after the ICTR handed his file to the Rwandan prosecutor, the first such transfer in the seventeen year history of the court. ICTR prosecutor, Hassan B. Jallow and Martin Ngoga, Rwanda's Prosecutor-General, announced the decision at a joint press conference today, describing it as a key milestone along the path towards lasting justice for victims of the 1994 genocide against Tutsis.
“Over seventeen short years, the government and legal profession, urged on by our citizens, have worked tirelessly to build courts and develop laws capable of delivering justice for Rwandans by Rwandans in a way the earns the respect of the world,” Mr Ngoga said. “Today's announcement shows the world how far we have come,” he added.
Jean Uwinkindi, a former Pentecostal pastor, was arrested in Uganda in June 2010 on counts of genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide and extermination as a crime against humanity. He is alleged to have led several groups of armed killers targeting Tutsi civilians in multiple attacks that spanned the 100 days of the genocide between April and July 1994. At the time,Uwinkindi was pastor in charge of the Pentecostal Church of Kayenzi in Nyamata south east of Kigali. Closely aligned with the extremist wing of the MRND party, Uwinkindi is alleged to have sought the assistance of gendarmes within the ex-FAR to exterminate the local Tutsi population. After he fled in July 1994, two thousand corpses were discovered near his church.
Speaking of the ICTR's decision to transfer the file to Rwanda, Mr Jallow said:
“The referral reflects our acknowledgement of the important advancements Rwanda hasmade in terms of law reform and capacity building within the justice system. With the assistance of donors , as well as the ICTR, these measures ensure that the legal system is consistent with international standards. With this renewed confidence in the capacity and robustness of Rwandan justice, we will encourage more cases to be referred by the ICTR to Rwanda for trial".
Martin Ngoga noted that Rwanda has systematically addressed previous concerns raised by the ICTR about the country's capacity to deliver fair and effective justice, including by eliminating the death penalty in 2007.
“As the Gacaca system has proven, Rwandans are committed to a form of justice that respects the rights of all concerned, as well as facilitating reconciliation. We are delighted that the ICTR has come to agree with us – and now clearly recognises the depth of our capabilities and commitment.”
Under ICTR rules relating to the transfer of cases, the prosecutor may send observers to monitor the Uwinkindi trial.

Contact:

Eric RUGAMBA
Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda, The Hague
+31 70 392 65 71
erugamba@minaffet.gov.rw

ABOUT THE ICTR
The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) is the first international court of law established to prosecute high-ranking individuals for massive human rights violations in Africa. The purpose of this court is to prosecute those allegedly responsible for the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.
In an effort to punish those responsible for genocide, the United Nations established the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. On 8 November 1994, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 955 (1994), which established “an international tribunal for the sole purpose of prosecuting persons responsible for genocide and other serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in the territory of Rwanda and Rwandan citizens responsible for genocide and other such violations committed in the territory of neighbouring States, between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1994.

Vakantiebeurs is the Netherlands' biggest and most important international tourism exhibition. In 2011, the fair attracted more than 122,100 visitors and 1,688 exhibitors from approximately 160 countries, more than 14,000 travel and press professionals. This year, the fair is estimated to have attracted over 130,000 visitors. Every year, the fair provides an ideal opportunity for travel agents, national and international tourism destination promoters to meet in person with new customers, potential tourists and investors in the tourism sector
At the Rwandan stand, Ms. Rica Rwigamba, Head of Tourism and Conservation at RDB and Rwanda's Ambassador to the Netherlands, H.E. Immaculée Uwanyiligira were on hand to interact with the public, meet the media and answer various questions posed about Rwanda’s booming tourism sector. A number of Embassy staff were also present to interact with the public and distribute promotional materials on Rwanda. The Rwanda stand attracted throngs of people curious to learn more about the country. They were enchanted by the Rwandan dancers, Abeza, who entertained them throughout the event. Freshly brewed Rwandan coffee was also served at the Rwanda stand, much to the delight of the public.

Rwanda started participating in Vakantiebeurs in 2008 following the signing of a five-year contract with the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI), an agency of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which facilitates companies from developing countries to promote tourism and the export of a range of products to Western European countries. Since then, there has been a notable growing interest in leisure travelers from the Netherlands. Since 2009 there has been a steady 7% increase in Dutch travelers to Rwanda. From January to September 2011, there was a remarkable growth by 30% of Dutch visitors to Rwanda, or 3,376 tourists, of whom 33% (1,098) travelled to Rwanda for Business. Leisure was the second purpose of travel, accounting for 29% (975) visitors. This corresponds to 6% of the total European travelers to the country. To put this in context, in terms of tourist figures from Europe, the Netherlands stands in sixth place after UK, Belgium, Germany, France and Italy.
KLM opened its route to Rwanda in October 2010 with five direct flights per week from Amsterdam to Kigali and vice-versa. This new route offers ease of access for the Dutch travelers to Rwanda. The noted upward trend in business and leisure travel is likely to grow.

Ambassador I. Uwanyiligira at Vakantiebeurs 2012 with HE Mirjam Blaak, Ambassador of Uganda to the Netherlands and Ms Angeli van de Kerkhof of Angeli Travel of Laren, North Holland.

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA
IN THE NETHERLANDS

The Hague ,10 January 2012

French Judges release report on the Plane Crash used as a Pretext to Start Genocide in Rwanda

The Government of Rwanda today welcomed the report of the experts appointed by French Judges Marc Trévidic and Nathalie Poux that identified Kanombe Military Barracks as the launch site of the missile that brought down the plane carrying former President Juvenal Habyarimana on 6 April 1994.
The plane was shot down as it prepared to land at Kigali International Airport, bringing back then President Habyarimana from negotiations over the Arusha peace accords. The crash served as an excuse for key perpetrators to execute a meticulously planned genocide against the Tutsi of Rwanda.
"Today's findings constitute vindication for Rwanda's long-held position on the circumstances surrounding events of April 1994", Louise Mushikiwabo, Foreign Minister and Government Spokesperson said. "With this scientific truth, Judges Trévidic and Poux have slammed shut the door on the seventeen-year campaign to deny the genocide or blame its victims. It is now clear to all that the downing of the plane was a coup d'état carried by extremist Hutu elements and their advisors who controlled Kanombe Barracks."
For the people of Rwanda, today's report is viewed as the result of a high quality investigation, commissioned by French magistrates with impeccable credentials, and carried out by world-class experts. It clears those falsely accused of shooting down the plane and brings a decisive end to the lies and conspiracy theories that have, for far too long, tried to divert the world's attention from the actual authors of horrendous crimes that took place in Rwanda during the genocide.
Minister Mushikiwabo concluded: "Rwandans welcome the findings that shed more light on a vital part of our country's history. We continue –undeterred and undistracted– with the vital task of nation-building for generations to come."

Contact:

Eric RUGAMBA
Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda, The Hague
+31 70 392 65 71
erugamba@minaffet.gov.rw

In an interview with The New Times, the Director General of the Diaspora Directorate, Parfait Gahamanyi, said that the event would take place every year.
“We think Rwandans in the Diaspora can play a vital role in the development of the nation. The most important thing is that this idea came from Diaspora members. So the government supported the idea and the outcome is already impressive,” Gahamanyi said.
Speaking to The New Times, Oria Kije Vande Weghe, one of the organisers, said the turn up was impressive but complained that the one day event did not provide enough opportunities for companies to interact with members of the Diaspora.
According to Yvette Umutoni, the Human Resource Director at the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), the event was fruitful with many showing interest in returning to seek work.
“We should have had this three or four year ago because it has really brought the Diaspora under one roof in terms of skills and opportunities for both potential employers and potential employees. We think next year it will be much better,” Umutoni said.
Speaking to The New Times, the Rector of Kigali Institute of Technology (KIST) Dr. Jean de Arc Mujawamariya said that the institution was seeking Rwandans living abroad to take up teaching positions at the university.
“We wanted to showcase the available opportunities at KIST; we have many opportunities available to cover the shortages we face especially lecturers in the Engineering and Architecture departments,”
“We think there are many Rwandans out there who have this expertise and they can come home and practice their trade here. This should not look at this in terms of salaries but rather the role they can play in nation building,” she said.

On the 15th and 16th of December, the 9th National Dialogue " UMUSHYIKIRANO" is taking place in Kigali. The event will be streamed LIVE on www.umushyikirano.gov.rw [1] where you will also find more information on the program.

Be part of the dialogue you !

Call in live on +250 2528567 & 250 2528568

President Kagame delivers the Keynote Speech at the High Level Forum on aid effectiveness in Busan, South Korea

President Paul Kagame has called on donors to embrace a paradigm shift on aid policy, if developing countries are to use aid effectively to meet their development goals.
The Head of State made the call, yesterday, while addressing delegates at the 4th High Level Forum on aid effectiveness in Busan, South Korea.
He observed that it would be futile to talk about competent use of aid without addressing impediments to its effectiveness:
“As the history of Asia amply illustrates, it is sound economic policies and investment capital that propelled millions of Asians to prosperity,” President Kagame said.
“We should, therefore, be talking about aid effectiveness in tandem with trade and investment – and I would add, a fair framework with clear rules and proven best practices.”
The President pointed out that in spite of the many aid commitments always made and periodically reviewed, Africa is not getting the desired results.
“It is most relevant that we are having this conversation in Korea which, in the last half a century, has moved from an aid recipient country to an industrial nation that is now supporting others to develop,”
“Other countries in Asia have made a similar transition. Over the same period, about one trillion US Dollars in development aid has been transferred to Africa,” President Kagame said, adding;
“But real per capita income today is less than it was in the 1970s and more than half the population – about 500 million people – still live in poverty. At this rate, most African countries may not meet many of the Millennium Development Goals,”
President Kagame, however, pointed out that in the last two decades or so, African countries have registered average annual economic growth of between 5-8 percent despite low foreign investments and the global economic crisis, saying that it is evidence that Africa has great promise:
“These two contradictory realities are pertinent to our discussion on aid effectiveness and beg serious questions,”
“Why has massive aid been largely ineffective and little investment productive? How can we translate aid commitments into effective development outcomes that will drive our graduation to self-sufficiency?” pondered Kagame.
The Head of State emphasized that there was no contention, whatsoever, on the principles of aid effectiveness, as adopted during previous forums.
He noted that there is need for global leaders to overcome structural and attitude-related barriers that hinder the realisation of what should otherwise be obvious.
“For instance, in Paris we committed, and reaffirmed in Accra, to channel aid through country systems so as to strengthen national capacity to execute development plans, to budget efficiently and deliver services,”
“It was also meant to build the foundation for enhanced capacity and accountability towards development results. In practice, the status quo still prevails,” the President said.
President Kagame observed that there is still resistance on the part of some donor countries to channel their aid through national systems, which raises important issues of effectiveness and accountability.
“While donors may not be entirely to blame for bypassing these systems where they are weak, or non-functional, why not use aid to build up and strengthen such critical systems?” the Head of State wondered.
President Kagame reminded that when multiple and parallel execution modalities and systems are employed, there is a significant impact on the effective allocation and use of public resources, which he said may undermine the relationship between governments and their citizens if they are not seen to be credible or responsive to people’s needs.
With regard to accountability, President Kagame said that although there has been agreement on the crucial importance of mutual accountability in the development effectiveness agenda, this very principle has not been applied, equally or fairly.
“While there are more demands on developing countries to account, there has been reluctance from some donors to do the same. And often this is accompanied by the introduction of issues unrelated to aid performance either as an excuse not to act or to delay commitments,” he said.
The President noted that there is real danger that the huge industry that has been built around aid can become a permanent feature of the development process and perpetuate dependency, directly undermining the very national systems that should instead be strengthened.
“Developing countries spend more time and energy agreeing on procedures and accounting to donors and an ever-increasing number of related non-state actors than in actual development work, often responding to endless questioning that no answers can fully satisfy,” he said
President Kagame called for a shift in the aid regime to broaden beyond traditional donors to emerging economies as countries that have recently achieved prosperity understand what it takes to get out of poverty and have relevant lessons for developing countries and donors alike, regarding what works best.
“This shift inevitably means strengthening South-South Cooperation and bringing it from the margins to the centre of international development frameworks. This should shape future development discourse and could be the lasting legacy of Busan”.
President Kagame reiterated that aid can be effective in achieving development objectives if greater trust in partnerships is allowed and recognized as a shared responsibility, built on common values and goals.
The Head of State urged the Busan forum to come out with clear commitments, actions, and targets to enhance mutual respect and inclusive global partnerships, by building on previous commitments on aid and development cooperation.
The President of South Korea, Lee Myung-bak called on advanced nations to deliver on their aid commitments to developing nations, stressing that less well-off nations are not a burden, but key partners for sustainable growth of the global economy.
“We are living in an era where various difficulties each nation faces cannot be resolved by any country alone but can be overcome when all of us living in the global community unite in strength,” Myung-bak said.
“All of us around the world live in the era of globalization, where each and every country is closely interconnected to one another.”
The United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki Moon called on governments to empower their private sectors through skills development and investment in innovations, citing Rwanda as an example.
“The skills of the private sector, ideas and dynamism can make a difference; through working together,” the UN Chief said.
“I have seen in Rwanda, the Government is setting trends in Gender empowerment, education, and ICT as key components of the development process.”
The US Secretary of State, Mrs. Hillary Clinton said the United States is working to remove many of the requirements tying aid to U.S. companies, recognizing that it frees recipients to choose from a wider range of partners, and it maximizes impact by increasing competition and driving down costs:
“We should recognize the accomplishments that have occurred, in some places quite dramatically, as we have heard not only about Korea but also about Rwanda,”
“But let us also acknowledge honestly the challenges and the problems that we must address if we expect to see greater progress. We need to continue shifting our approach and our thinking from aid to investment, targeted to produce tangible returns.” Mrs Clinton said.

Perth, Australia – 28 October 2011 

President Kagame today said that Rwanda is pleased to be part of the Common-wealth and to contribute to the organi-sation as it adapts in the face of new global challenges. Speaking at opening ceremony of the 21st Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Perth, where Rwanda was officially welcomed as the newest member, President Kagame thanked Commonwealth members for the support extended to Rwanda during its admission in 2009. 

President Kagame noted that Rwandans shared the values and principles that have shaped the Commonwealth and pledged Rwanda’s support to collective efforts to make the organisation stronger and more dynamic; 

“Our citizens know from experience that peace, security, and equal opportunities for all –including gender equality – are important pillars of good governance and a strong basis for socio-economic development. We also believe that when we work together, we win together. The economic and political challenges that the global community has witnessed recently provide more than enough evidence regarding the degree of our interdependence.” 

President Kagame also pointed out that Rwanda was happy to associate with the Commonwealth aspirations of mutual respect and understanding which supports cooperation and partnership framed by fair rules that are equally applicable to all. 

Queen Elizabeth, celebrating her 60th anniversary as the Head of the Commonwealth, said that almost a decade after the last CHOGM was held in Australia, new challenges exist and member states must remain steadfast and rise to the occasion in order to provide long lasting solutions to these common challenges; 

“The theme this year is, ‘Women as Agents of Change’. It reminds us of the potential in our societies that is yet to be fully unlocked, and it encourages us to find ways to allow all girls and women to play their full part. We must continue to strive in our own countries and across the Commonwealth together to promote that theme in a lasting way beyond this year”. 

Prime Minister Julia Gillard of Australia said that the meeting was a fitting moment for reflection and renewal as it marks the 80th anniversary of the Commonwealth and urged fellow CHOGM members to consider it a call to action; 

“How do we best pursue our timeless values in a world of change? Let us make CHOGM 2011 memorable for answering this question. Memorable for being the Meeting that gave the Commonwealth the direction it needed at a time of global uncertainty and risk. In so doing, we will be faithful to our values, and faithful to the people who have sent us here. “

Kamalesh Sharma, Secretary General of the Commonwealth, described the importance of CHOGM to its citizens; 

 “CHOGMs have also become the occasion to bring together in celebration the full breadth of our Commonwealth community. All can serve our three aspirations of Democracy, Development and Diversity. And in offering global wisdom and value, we must continue to strive for equity, especially for the rights and causes of the small and the vulnerable, and in the service of our people”. 

Over the next two days President Kagame will take part in closed working sessions with other Heads of Government during which they will deliberate over the CHOGM agenda.

The reading of the final communiqué this Sunday will mark the end of the 2011 CHOGM meeting.