French President Emmanuel Macron has warned individuals suspected of involvement in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi who believe they have found safe haven in France that they will ultimately face justice.
Macron delivered the message on June 2 during the official inauguration of Les Archives, a new memorial dedicated to the Genocide against the Tutsi, in Paris.
The ceremony brought together senior officials from France and Rwanda, including Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire, Secretary-General of La Francophonie Louise Mushikiwabo, Ibuka-France President Marcel Kabanda, genocide survivors, and members of the diplomatic community.
Addressing attendees, Macron reaffirmed France’s commitment to prosecuting genocide suspects residing on its territory, stressing that crimes against humanity neither expire with time nor escape accountability.
“No one is above the law,” he said. “Those who thought they had found refuge, or that time would erase their crimes, were mistaken. Crimes against humanity can neither be forgotten nor become time-barred. Justice will continue to do its work.”
The French leader noted that several genocide-related cases have already been tried in French courts, while a number of investigations remain ongoing.
Macron also cautioned against the persistence of hate speech and genocide ideology, warning that some media platforms continue to spread hatred in ways reminiscent of the role played by RTLM during the genocide.
“Even today, there are media outlets that continue to disseminate hatred in the same way RTLM did during the genocide. We must remain vigilant and continue to fight against them,” he said.
Speaking at the event, President Paul Kagame welcomed France’s efforts to bring genocide suspects to justice and commended initiatives aimed at strengthening legislation against genocide denial and minimization. He called for sustained action in that regard.
France has adopted legislation criminalizing the denial and trivialization of the Genocide against the Tutsi. Among those convicted under the law is French-Cameroonian author Charles Onana, who was found guilty over publications challenging established facts about the planning and execution of the genocide.
