Prosecutor Brammertz Concludes Mission to Kigali
Mechanism Prosecutor Serge Brammertz has concluded an official visit to Kigali from 30 September to 2 October 2025, as part of the continuing cooperation between the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) and Rwandan authorities regarding the investigation and prosecution of individuals alleged to have participated in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
The Prosecutor had high-level meetings with the Minister of Justice, Hon. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon. Domitilla Mukantaganzwa, the Prosecutor General, Ms. Angélique Habyarimana, the Chief Military Prosecutor, Lt. Col Charles Sumanyi, and the Chairperson of the Rwanda Law Reform Commission, Ms. Claudine Dushimimana.
Prosecutor Brammertz and his interlocutors discussed the support provided by the OTP to Rwanda in tracking fugitives suspected of committing grave crimes during the Genocide. Notable results continue to be achieved. In June 2025, acting on intelligence provided by the OTP, Rwandan authorities took into custody Fulgence Niyibizi, who has been a fugitive for a decade following his indictment for crimes committed in Butare while serving as a trainee at the Ecole des sous-officiers. Through their joint work over the past year and a half, the OTP and National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA) have now accounted for 70 fugitives. Minister of Justice Ugirashebuja emphasized that the OTP possesses unique expertise in fugitive tracking and that the Government of Rwanda fully expects this support will continue to be provided for a number of years to come.
The OTP further provided updates on its efforts to support the NPPA and law enforcement authorities around the world in the investigation and prosecution of suspected génocidaires. It was positively noted that today, more investigations and prosecutions are underway than in the past, and that there is a renewed emphasis on securing accountability for crimes committed during the Genocide. The OTP is receiving more requests for assistance than ever before, and in response is sharing its evidence, knowledge and expertise to support national authorities in this work. In Rwanda, the NPPA is conducting important investigations with the OTP's support, including for notorious crimes committed in former Butare and Kibuye préfectures. The NPPA requested the OTP to establish joint investigative teams for additional suspects, notably former members of the genocidal Forces Armées Rwandaises. The OTP is also providing vital assistance to investigators and prosecutors in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and elsewhere. Rwandan authorities welcomed the OTP's efforts to promote accountability globally and affirmed that support from the OTP is critical to successful investigations and prosecutions.
The Prosecutor also met with various representatives of the diplomatic community during his visit to Kigali.
Prosecutor Brammertz is expected to provide his next briefing to the United Nations Security Council in early December.
Mechanism Prosecutor Serge Brammertz has concluded an official visit to Kigali from 30 September to 2 October 2025, as part of the continuing cooperation between the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) and Rwandan authorities regarding the investigation and prosecution of individuals alleged to have participated in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
The Prosecutor had high-level meetings with the Minister of Justice, Hon. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon. Domitilla Mukantaganzwa, the Prosecutor General, Ms. Angélique Habyarimana, the Chief Military Prosecutor, Lt. Col Charles Sumanyi, and the Chairperson of the Rwanda Law Reform Commission, Ms. Claudine Dushimimana.
Prosecutor Brammertz and his interlocutors discussed the support provided by the OTP to Rwanda in tracking fugitives suspected of committing grave crimes during the Genocide. Notable results continue to be achieved. In June 2025, acting on intelligence provided by the OTP, Rwandan authorities took into custody Fulgence Niyibizi, who has been a fugitive for a decade following his indictment for crimes committed in Butare while serving as a trainee at the Ecole des sous-officiers. Through their joint work over the past year and a half, the OTP and National Public Prosecution Authority (NPPA) have now accounted for 70 fugitives. Minister of Justice Ugirashebuja emphasized that the OTP possesses unique expertise in fugitive tracking and that the Government of Rwanda fully expects this support will continue to be provided for a number of years to come.
The OTP further provided updates on its efforts to support the NPPA and law enforcement authorities around the world in the investigation and prosecution of suspected génocidaires. It was positively noted that today, more investigations and prosecutions are underway than in the past, and that there is a renewed emphasis on securing accountability for crimes committed during the Genocide. The OTP is receiving more requests for assistance than ever before, and in response is sharing its evidence, knowledge and expertise to support national authorities in this work. In Rwanda, the NPPA is conducting important investigations with the OTP's support, including for notorious crimes committed in former Butare and Kibuye préfectures. The NPPA requested the OTP to establish joint investigative teams for additional suspects, notably former members of the genocidal Forces Armées Rwandaises. The OTP is also providing vital assistance to investigators and prosecutors in Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and elsewhere. Rwandan authorities welcomed the OTP's efforts to promote accountability globally and affirmed that support from the OTP is critical to successful investigations and prosecutions.
The Prosecutor also met with various representatives of the diplomatic community during his visit to Kigali.
Prosecutor Brammertz is expected to provide his next briefing to the United Nations Security Council in early December.