Dutch experts warn against extradition of Rwandans In a letter published in NRC Handelsblad, a Dutch Newspaper,on December 18th2014, Dutch experts warned State Secretary of Security and Justice, Fred Teeven, not to make extraditions to Rwanda over genocide allegations. The letter features 13 signatories, among them are Agnes van Ardenne, former minister of Development Cooperation and Prof. Dr. Ton Dietz, director of the African Studies Centre located in Leiden, The Netherlands. The signers say they are “deeply concerned” about Teeven’s intention to revoke residence permits and Dutch nationalities of a group of Rwandans living in The Netherlands following genocide accusations from Rwandan prosecutors.”We ask you to renounce the extraditions because these Rwandans will not receive fair trails in Rwanda. Rwanda is a single-party state where there is no room for the opposition, the media or society to act freely. Freedom of expression has been restricted in the past few years”, they wrote. The experts went on to describing the harassment faced by political opponents of the Rwandan government, the killings and disappearances of journalists, and the partial and unfair trial of FDU-Chairman Victoire Ingabire. “It is known that a number of the Rwandans that you intend to extradite have (family)ties with political opponents or other critical voices of the Rwandan regime. It is also known that the Rwandan regime is not afraid to threaten of or kill its opponents and their family members (…) we are therefore convinced that the accusations of these Rwandans are politically motivated. We also have reasons to believe that the evidence you are relying on is unsubstantial”, the experts conclude. Fred Teeven also announced that his government, in cooperation with President Kagame’s regime, plans to send about 20 Rwandans who are currently living in The Netherlands back to Rwanda over genocide allegations. Through the Dutch Immigration Services, residence permits and Dutch nationalities of the accused have been revoked. Cases include Jean-Damascene Rugomboka, Jean-Baptiste Mugimba, Jean-Claude Iyamuremye and, most recently, Lin Muyizere, husband of opposition leader Victoire Ingabire. JaneNishimye Jambonews.net Also read jambonews.net/en/news/20141002-rwanda-the-netherlands-victoire-ingabires-husband-charged-with-crimes-of-genocide/ jambonews.net/en/news/20140804-dutch-prosecutions-against-rwandan-suspects-exposed/ jambonews.net/en/news/20140612-the-netherlands-repatriation-trial-against-rugomboka/ jambonews.net/en/news/20150110-dutch-experts-warn-against-extradition-of-rwandans/
Posted on: Thu, 15 Jan 2015 16:42:08 +0000
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