A senior UN official has welcomed the start of the trial against an alleged leading figure in the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, highlighting the importance of paying attention to hate speech in deterring atrocities.
Opening statements in the case against Félicien Kabuga are set for Thursday and Friday at the UN’s International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT), located in The Hague.
According to his indictment, Mr. Kabuga was a founder of the radio station Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines, whose broadcasts furthered hatred and violence against the Tutsi ethnic group and others.
He is charged with genocide, direct and public incitement to commit genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, persecution on political grounds, extermination, and murder as crimes against humanity.
Prevention and accountability
“Our collective commitment not to forget constitutes a commitment to prevent” said UN Special Adviser on Genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, in a statement issued on Wednesday.
“Accountability is prevention in itself and hence a deterrent for future crimes,” she added.
Ms. Nderitu said fair and credible judicial proceedings can also provide victims with a form of redress for the gross and systematic violations of human rights and humanitarian law that they have endured.
They can also help prevent and address feelings of frustration and bitterness, and the possible desire for retaliation.
However, when justice is not served, lingering perceptions of injustice can become a risk factor for further violence and possibly, atrocity crimes, she warned.
Kate McElwee
Alice Nderitu, UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide
Collective responsibility
The Special Adviser commended the important work by the UN Mechanism on ensuring accountability for serious international crimes, including in the context of Mr. Kabuga’s alleged role in the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, during which moderate Hutu, Twa and others who opposed the genocide, were killed.
Ms. Nderitu stressed that hate speech contributes to mistrust between communities. It also feeds what she called “an ‘us versus them’ narrative” and corrodes social cohesion between communities. In its most serious forms, hate speech can lead to incitement to violence and even genocide.
She said commitment to prevent atrocity crimes requires all relevant stakeholders to take appropriate measures against hate speech and incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence.
“Literally all atrocity crimes were preceded by hate speech. Hence, it is our responsibility to pay particular attention to this phenomenon if we are really committed to prevent atrocity crimes,” she added.
Support UN Mechanism
Mr. Kabunga was apprehended in Paris in May 2020 by French authorities as a result of a joint investigation with the IRMCT.
At the time, he was among the world’s top fugitives, and had been wanted by the UN Mechanism since 2013.
The IRMCT performs essential functions previously carried out by the international tribunal for Rwanda, which closed in December 2015, and another for the former Yugoslavia, which concluded two years later.
Ms. Nderitu further called for countries to continue to fully cooperate with the IRMCT in the identification, arrest, detention, surrender, and transfer of accused persons who are still at large.
She also urged the international community to step up efforts to address and counter hate speech, and prevent incitement to violence, in line with the UN action plans.
Nora Chambers, an acclaimed journalist with a focus on global affairs and humanitarian issues, has dedicated over twenty years to reporting from conflict zones worldwide. Her work has spotlighted marginalized communities and highlighted urgent international concerns.
Do you think the trial will bring justice to the victims of the Rwanda genocide?
As a journalist who has covered similar trials in the past, I believe that trials like this are crucial not only for delivering justice to the victims but also for setting a precedent that can hopefully prevent such atrocities in the future.
Does the trial against Félicien Kabuga mark a significant step towards holding perpetrators of the Rwanda genocide accountable?
Yes, the trial against Félicien Kabuga is indeed a significant step towards holding perpetrators of the Rwanda genocide accountable. It demonstrates the importance of accountability in deterring future atrocities.
As an experienced journalist, I applaud the commencement of the trial against Félicien Kabuga. Holding individuals accountable for their role in atrocities is crucial in preventing future violence. The importance of tackling hate speech cannot be understated. I hope that justice will prevail in this case.
Our collective commitment not to forget constitutes a commitment to prevent. Accountability is prevention in itself and hence a deterrent for future crimes. Fair and credible judicial proceedings can also provide victims with
As a journalist covering human rights issues for years, I agree with UN Special Adviser Alice Wairimu Nderitu that accountability is crucial in preventing future atrocities. The trial of Félicien Kabuga must serve as a reminder of the devastating consequences of hate speech and incitement to violence.
As a journalist, I agree with UN Special Adviser on Genocide, Alice Wairimu Nderitu, that accountability is crucial in deterring future crimes. It is essential to pay attention to hate speech and hold individuals responsible for their actions to prevent atrocities like the Rwanda genocide from happening again.
Isn’t it crucial to continue raising awareness about the atrocities that occurred during the Rwanda genocide to prevent similar events in the future?
Absolutely, EmilyWrites. Continuously educating people about the horrors of past genocides is essential in fostering a world where such atrocities are not repeated. By acknowledging the past and understanding the role of hate speech in fueling these crimes, we can work towards a future of peace and unity.
Do you think the trial will bring justice to the victims and help in deterring future atrocities?
As Ms. Nderitu mentioned, accountability is prevention in itself. Fair and credible judicial proceedings can serve as a deterrent for future crimes and bring justice to the victims.
It is crucial to hold individuals like Mr. Kabuga accountable for their actions to prevent future atrocities. Ms. Nderitu’s emphasis on the importance of justice in deterring hate crimes is truly commendable.