crime, worse

A few days ago, a Rwandan-born man living in Toronto became the first person to be arrested under Canada's Crimes Against Humanities Law. Under this law, passed in 2000, if there is enough evidence that someone has committed war crimes or crimes against humanity, the RCMP can arrest him, no matter where those crimes are alleged to have been committed, and no matter how long ago.

This is a big step in the history of justice. With this law, Canada sets an example to the world.

Desire Munyaneza, the Toronto man who was arrested, is accused of helping to orchestrate the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

For me, one of the most striking parts of this story was seeing a man who helped identify Munyaneza, which led to the five-year investigation, which in turn led to his arrest. Jean-Paul Nyilinkwaya is a survivor of the Rwandan genocide; he lost about 70 family members. In 2000, living in Toronto (he now lives in Montreal), Nyilinkwaya would see Munyaneza going about his business - taking the subway, going to his job, living his life. Can we even imagine how that must feel? It's a wonder Nyilinkwaya didn't murder Munyaneza on the spot. But he didn't - and there was a system of justice in place to help him do the right thing.

All about the Rwandan genocide here.

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