12.02.10 - RWANDA/GB - RWANDA AND THE UK AGREE ON EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS

Arusha, February 12, 2010 (FH) - Rwanda and the United Kingdom signed on Wednesday in Kigali an agreement for the exchange of convicted prisoners, Radio Rwanda reported on Thursday.

No extradition treaty exists between the two countries.

The agreement was signed by the Rwandan minister of Justice, Tharcisse Karugarama, and the British High Commissioner to Rwanda, Nicholas Cannon.

"This agreement concerns prisoners who have been condemned for good. It's an important first step", Mr. Karugarama said on the radio.

British authorities announced in July 2009 their intention to amend the Law in order to enable their courts to judge genocide-accused living in Great-Britain, amongst whom several Rwandans.

Currently, genocide and war crime suspects cannot be judged in the United Kingdom for crimes committed before 2001. If the amendments are adopted by the Parliament, British courts will be allowed to try suspects of genocide and war crimes committed after 1991.

ER/GF

© Hirondelle News Agency

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