05.04.07 - RWANDA/BOOKS REVIEW - A BOOK ABOUT THE GENOCIDE SITE OF MURAMBI

Arusha, 5 April 2007 (FH) – On the eve of the 13th anniversary of the Tutsis genocide in Rwanda, African Rights publishes a book about the site of Murambi (south) where almost 50,000 persons were killed in April 1994. Titled “Go. If you die, Perhaps I will live”, the new publication of this organization for the defence of Human Rights based in London comprises 250 pages. Every time the fateful date of the 6 April approaches, which marked the beginning of the genocide approaches, African Rights publishes a report or a thematic book. The official ceremonies of the 13th commemoration of the genocide will take place in Murambi. Murambi was a technical school in construction. The African rights book describes the agony of refugees who, during one week, suffered from hunger and thirst before being killed by militaries and the militia. Some survivors affirm that several women were raped. African Rights points a finger at several local figures. The organization alleges in particular that the former prefect of Gikongoro, Laurent Bucyibaruta, an officer in pension, Lieutenant-Colonel Aloys Simba, the local Chief of Gendarmerie, Captain Faustin Sebuhura, as well as the local mayor Félicien Semakwavu planned and supervised the attack which started on 21 April 1994 morning. African Rights based its book on 91 survivors’ stories. A judicial investigation was opened against Bucyibaruta, currently exiled in France whereas Simba was convicted to 25 years’ imprisonment by the international Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). His trial is pending in appeal. AT/PB/CV © Hirondelle News Agency