Walton: Genocide suspect could face trial in the UK (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)

Walton: Genocide suspect could face trial in the UK

2:21pm Thursday 9th July 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share

A MAN from Walton accused of genocide could face trial in the UK under new proposals unveiled this week.

Celestin Ugirashebuja, of Garden Road, Walton, was one of four men who won a High Court battle in April against extradition to Rwanda after judges ruled they might not receive a fair trial.

Following the ruling the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Genocide Prevention said legal loopholes could allow suspects to avoid trial and Britain could become a “safe haven” for alleged war criminals.

Justice Secretary Jack Straw has now announced he has decided to “strengthen” domestic law by making UK residents suspected of war crimes since 1991 - ten years earlier than the current law allows - liable to stand trial.

The amendments could be added to the Coroners and Justice Bill when it is read in the House of Lords this autumn and means Rwandan and Yugoslavian genocide suspects could now be tried.

Mr Straw said serious crimes such as genocide are best dealt with in the country where the crimes took place.

“That is where the evidence will be most easily accessible and where witnesses will be easier to contact,” he said.

“Failing that, these crimes should be dealt with by international courts or tribunals where they exist.

“However, there may be circumstances where these options are not available.

“We have therefore decided that we should strengthen domestic law in this area.”

Mr Ugirashebuja, who was a local government official, is accused of genocide against members of the Tutsi ethnic group during the Rwandan genocide in 1994 – during which 800,000 people were murdered.

His solicitor Colin Nott told the Gazette Mr Ugirashebuja denied the allegations but did not welcome standing trial.

“No-one in their right mind welcomes a trial, but if we have to stand trial we will deal with it,” he said.

Mr Ugirashebuja, who is a member of Frinton’s St Mary’s parish church, was set free in April after being held in prison since December 2006 under a memorandum of understanding in which Rwanda waived the death penalty.

• Print
• Email
• Share