Rwandan Man First to be convicted and sentenced under Canadian law for war crimes committed abroad
A Rwandan man, Desire Munyaneza, the first person convicted under a law allowing people in Canada to be tried for war crimes committed abroad was sentenced to life in prison last week. Mr. Munyaneza was convicted last May of seven charges, including genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes for his role in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Munyaneza, a Hutu, was convicted of trying to destroy the Tutsi ethnic group in Butare and the surrounding area. He was the first defendant to be tried under Canada’s 7-year-old War Crimes Act.
During his trial, more than 66 witnesses testified in Montreal, and in depositions in Rwanda, France and Kenya, often with measures to protect their identities.
Prosecutor Pascale Ledoux said the sentencing sends a message to the international community - “It underlies the importance of the fight against inhumanity and the application of law wherever the persons are”, she said.
Defence lawyer Richard Perras argued last month that the sentence should be closer to 20 years. He is also appealing the conviction.
The sentencing judgment in French is attached here – Munyaneza Sentencing Judgment
Thanks to David Gault for sending the ICLB on the Judgment