Rwandan Genocide: Alleged Perpetrators Debate

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Department: Home Office

Rwandan Genocide: Alleged Perpetrators

Stephen Twigg Excerpts
Tuesday 9th April 2019

(5 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Ben Wallace Portrait Mr Wallace
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It is our view—it was the Government’s view—and that is why we contested the case. Unfortunately, it was not the view of the UK courts.

Stephen Twigg Portrait Stephen Twigg (Liverpool, West Derby) (Lab/Co-op)
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May I plead with the Minister for a greater sense of urgency in this case? The right hon. Member for Sutton Coldfield (Mr Mitchell), whom I congratulate on securing the urgent question, talked about a 10-year delay. The Minister said there was a three to five-year delay. Three to five years is still too long. It is 25 years since the genocide in Rwanda. May we please have a sense of urgency from the Government?

Ben Wallace Portrait Mr Wallace
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The hon. Gentleman will have heard me say that it was not until 2017 that we started the investigation here at the request of the Rwandans, so it is not that we have not been doing it for 20-odd years. If there is a requirement for resources, that will be discussed every week with the counter-terrorism police, and I stand by ready to help with that. However, the hon. Gentleman will also want us to ensure that if these people come before a court, they are convicted and that we present the best case possible to ensure that the charges they face are upheld and stick.