Ottawa – The sentencing hearing of Désiré Munyaneza – the first person convicted under Canada’s Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes Act - for his role in the Rwandan genocide is set to begin tomorrow in Montreal.
The Canadian Centre for International Justice (CCIJ) has hailed the verdict as an important step in a new era of global accountability for massive human rights abuses. The CCIJ is now calling for more criminal and civil trials to go to court in Canada to build on this victory.
“This case demonstrates for the first time ever, Canada’s ability to contribute to international justice through domestic criminal proceedings,” said Jayne Stoyles, Executive Director of the CCIJ. “Until now we have dealt with war crimes perpetrators solely through immigration processes such as deportation, and that is contrary to our international commitments.”
Richard Nsanzabaganwa, an advisor to the CCIJ and former human rights investigator in Rwanda, emphasized the importance of such trials to the estimated 1 million survivors of atrocities living in Canada. “This sends a clear message to perpetrators of international crimes that Canada will not be a hideout for them. Equally, it allows victims and survivors to feel protected by a justice system that is prepared to seek accountability for the harm they have suffered.”
He went on to note that “often a trial in the affected country is not possible, and other countries need to help fill the gap. There are national trials in Rwanda, but the system is extremely overloaded and many accused will never be brought to court.”
Past convictions of Rwandan genocide perpetrators by international and other national tribunals have resulted in sentences running up to life imprisonment. Under Canadian law, crimes of this magnitude and gravity would normally lead to a life sentence of 25 years. The issue of parole eligibility will be determined during the sentencing.
Professor Bruce Broomhall, also a CCIJ advisor and a law professor at Université du Québec à Montréal, noted the need for more criminal trials of this kind in Canada, to address the fact that many more war criminals are said to be living here.
Professor Broomhall added, “It is also important that civil cases supplement the criminal process by providing recognition and compensation to victims and their families.” The CCIJ is involved in an upcoming landmark case of this kind that will be heard in Montreal –that of the family of slain Iranian-Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi.
The Canadian Centre for International Justice will hold a special pre-sentencing briefing tomorrow on the steps of the Palais de justice in Montreal. The purpose will be to outline what to expect from the sentencing hearing, highlight the importance of the Munyaneza trial from the perspective of Rwandan-Canadians, and recommend additional steps for Canada to take in continuing to contribute to the international justice movement.
For more details of the briefing and background information, including a summary of the verdict and a comprehensive Q&A, please visit www.ccij.ca.
