Developments in
2018
On 11 May 2018, the prosecutor of
the French specialized unit for the
prosecution of genocide, crimes
against humanity, war crimes and
torture within the Paris High Court
(hereinafter “the specialized unit”),
issued his final submission. He alleged
that Sosthène Munyemana organized
a hunt against Tutsis, detained some
of them in inhumane conditions, and
sent them to killing sites.
On 13 June 2018, FIDH, jointly with
LDH and CPCR, filed their final
submission as civil parties, requesting
that Sosthène Munyemana be sent
to trial.
Current status
Investigation closed; pending trial
Facts
On 17 April 1994, in a public speech,
Sosthène
Munyemana
allegedly
incited Hutus to exterminate the Tutsi
community of Tumba. From 21 April
1994, he is also accused of taking part
in several massacres of Tutsis in and
around Tumba. He is reported to have
distributed ammunition and compiled
lists of Tutsis to be eliminated. He
allegedly led the night patrols and
specified who should be abducted.
Procedure
On 18 October 1995, the “Collectif
Girondin pour le Rwanda”, the
FIDH and the NGO Survie lodged
a
criminal
complaint
against
Sosthène Munyemana for his alleged
participation in genocide. In 2001,
the “Collectif des Parties Civiles
pour le Rwanda” (CPCR) joined the
proceedings as a civil party.
Chamber of the Bordeaux Court of
Appeal denied this request.
In October 2008, Sosthène Munyemana
was found guilty in absentia by the
Butare’s Gacaca Court. He was
sentenced to life imprisonment.
On 14 December 2011, Sosthène
Munyemana was indicted in the
French proceedings and placed under
judicial supervision.
On 9 May 2017, the investigating judge
within the Paris High Court informed
the parties that he had completed
his investigation.
On 13 June 2018, FIDH, jointly with
LDH and CPCR, filed their final
submission as civil parties, requesting
that Sosthène Munyemana be sent
to trial.
Read more about the case
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In 2006, Rwanda requested his
extradition from France. However,
on 7 October 2010, the Investigation
40
case
investigation
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