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Rwanda News Agency/Agence Rwandaise d'Information (Kigali)

Rwanda: My Husband Did Not Commit Genocide - Says Suspect's Wife

23 July 2008

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interview

Kigali — Four men are current awaiting a decision by the British government for extradition to Rwanda on Genocide. They include Dr. Vincent Bajinya, Mr. Charles Munyaneza, Mr. Celestin Ugirashebuja, and Mr. Emmanuel Nteziryayo. The charges against Dr. Vincent Bajinya, however, according to available information have attracted media attention. His wife tells RNA that the case against him was just a fabrication. Read interview below.

RNA: What do you have to say about the case the British government has against your husband?

The UK government arrested Dr Bajinya on the request of Rwanda. The problem is that the UK government hurried to detain him with the others without any tangible evidence against them provided by Rwanda. To say they committed Genocide alone is not enough.

For example: When Dr Bajinya was detained by the UK government, it did not even bother to know whether the allegations against him are substantial. Rwanda came up with charges against him after he had been detained.

RNA: Evidence incriminating your husband includes testimonies from your former neighbours. Surely they have a case. The BBC has also documented your husband's crimes. There is a strong case against him.

My understanding is that what the BBC broadcast was mere propaganda because they did not seem to have done any research. It was just slander. Were those neighbours you are talking about waiting for the BBC to submit for them their case when they lost their families 14 years ago? Where did the BBC do its research when those neighbours have not even lodged their case with the area Gacaca because Dr. Bajinya does not have any dossier? So where did the BBC inquire without starting with any Gacaca court? How come the BBC did not even inquire with the courts of law to know whether he had any case he is mentioned, there is no list of killers that it read where he features, and it has never been to Arusha (ICTR) to know whether he is wanted either.

RNA: As a Doctor at that time, he must have had a lot of influence and strong friends in government. This means he must have known what was going on - even the planning of the Genocide

Dr Bajinya was a doctor not a politician, and was neither a doctor for politicians. He was a doctor for all. The rest is what you simply imagine. It does not mean that if you have a job that connects you with people makes you have influence over politicians. For example: Teachers, agriculture officers, bar-attendants, business people.journalists.

I believe if all these knew there was a plan to commit Genocide it would not have happened. I do not know if you were a journalist at that time - because journalists know how to search for information from meeting people of all levels - such that you tell me if you knew about such a plan

RNA: Now that he is away, how is your family surviving. By the way how many children do you have. Have you talked to Dr. Bajinya since he was arrested last year?

I am working. I have 2 children. We have the right to visit him. Remember that at the moment he is considered innocent until proven guilty.

RNA: Why did Dr Bajinya change his names to Dr Vincent Brown if he had nothing he was running from, and how did he manage to do that anyway?

He did not change his names to hide his identity or that he may have had anything he was scared of. The law allows him that right if he wants so, besides there is no reason against that right. Why did you not ask me whether he changed his nationality to English because he also has the right to that as well?

RNA: After the Judge had decided that the four co-accused are brought to Rwanda, you said on the BBC that you did not understand the verdict. What didnt you understand and has the verdict been explained to you now?

Up to now I have not understood. What I managed to know is this: The case was not concluded because the judge forwarded his decision to the Home Office for consideration instead of him making the verdict after listening to prosecution and defense. We are still waiting for the Home Office to make a pronouncement.

RNA: How are the families of the other co-accused with your husband doing?

What concerns the other families is their business

RNA: Rwanda is doing well and developing very fast. Why dont you bring your children to enjoy the fruits. Surely they need to be in the country of their origin?

It is fine that Rwanda is developing. There is nothing that prevents us from coming over because we have families there. You only have to convince me that if I bring Dr Bajinya's children, you will not haunt us claiming we have Genocide Ideology.

RNA: All indications are that the British system - both judiciary and political - want your husband and his co-accused to face justice in Rwanda. Will you come to Rwanda to be near him as he goes through the court case?

I suggest we wait for the decision from the competent authorities such that I can be able to give you the response you want.

RNA: Any more information or the last word?

Accusing people of Genocide based on their ethnicity, place of origin, professional background or current employment will not be the solution to the problem among Rwandans. It is not a secret that Dr Bajinya did not commit Genocide. He is only being targeted because he is Hutu, from Gisenyi/Karago, and was a doctor, and the fact that he managed to get a good job here after leaving the country displeased very many. Had he remained poor like they wish for us who are in exile, no body would have remembered him even after these last 14 years.

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