Rugwabiza made the remarks Wednesday at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) which convened a meeting reviewing the work of the MICT.
In her remarks with stern message, Rugwabiza highlighted the lack of transparency and accountability of the MICT procedure for early releases.
She said that Rwanda has not opposed the potential early release and has released genocide convicts more than any other country.
“Rwanda is not opposed to the principle of potential early releases and there is not a single country or international jurisdiction, anywhere in this world that has reduced sentences and released genocide convicts more than Rwanda,” she said.
“The problem lies with the lack of transparency in the process and criteria considered in decisions of early releases. These convicts haven’t shown any remorse, the decisions are made by one person, the President of the MICT, with no obligation of accountability,” she explained.
She said that the decisions are not communicated to the government of Rwanda, as the survivors and government learn about them through the media.
Meanwhile, ICTR through Meron has acquitted Protais Zigiranyirazo, Justin Mugenzi, Prosper Mugiraneza, Gen. Augustin Ndindiriyimana and Major François Xavier Nzuwonemeye.
He also reduced sentence for masterminds of the genocide including, Colonel Théoneste Bagosora from life sentence to 35 in appeal trial that he (Meron) was presiding.
He also reduced sentence for Col.Anatole Nsengiyumva and Capt. Ildephonse Nizeyimana. Currently, Nsengiyumva who is known for being among masterminds of the genocide against the Tutsi in former Gisenyi Prefecture has been released.
Rugwabiza underlined that a number of those released before the end of their sentences have since regrouped in an association denying the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
“They do so with no consequences because they are released with no conditions. The mechanism and its current President will not be able to escape this daunting legacy,” she said.
Recommendations to UNSC
Rugwabiza recommended the UNSC to urge the ICTR to put in place clear rules of procedures and criteria of early release and be requested to apply them transparently.
She said that such rules should include conditionalities to prevent genocide convicts benefiting from early releases from engaging in activities promoting genocide ideology and denial.
Reactions from UNSC members
Ethiopia Ambassador to the UN, Mahlet Hailu Guadey noted that Rwanda’s concerns on early release of persons convicted of genocide and crimes against humanity cannot be overlooked.
Guadey emphasized that in the process leading to early releases, it is important that other judges are consulted and Rwanda consulted particularly on the implication.
The US Ambassador to UN, Mark A. Simonoff encouraged the MICT to respond to concerns with early releases, noting that some individuals have subsequently denied as being responsible for their crimes.
“This denial undermines the fight against impunity. The US also recognizes and encourages the practice of consultations before early releases,” Simonoff said.
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