French-Cameroonian writer Charles Onana is about to face trial in Paris, accused of being complicit in denying the 1994 Rwandan genocide, a tragic episode that claimed the lives of around 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus in a mere 100 days.
In his book published five years ago, Onana referred to the idea that the Hutu government had orchestrated a genocide as “one of the biggest scams” of the last century. His lawyer, Emmanuel Pire, emphasizes that Onana does not contest the fact that a genocide occurred or the targeted violence against Tutsis. Pire points out that the book stems from a decade of comprehensive research aimed at unraveling the intricate dynamics of the genocide and its various phases.
This trial is a pivotal legal moment, as Onana, now 60, along with his publisher, Damien Serieyx, faced a lawsuit four years ago over the very same book. The case was brought forth by the NGO Survie and the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH), charging them with “publicly contesting a crime against humanity.”
Set to begin on Monday, this trial marks only the second time in France that the denial of the Rwandan genocide will be addressed in a court of law. French legislation makes it illegal to deny or downplay any genocide recognized by the nation.
Camille Lesaffre, campaign manager for Survie, has described the trial as “historic,” noting that there is currently no legal precedent in France specifically addressing the denial of the Rwandan genocide. “We will mostly draw parallels with legal cases related to Holocaust denial,” Lesaffre explained.
In a broader context, French President Emmanuel Macron has acknowledged the need for France to seek forgiveness from Rwandans regarding its actions during the genocide. He has recognized that the French government ignored warnings about the impending crisis and previously chose silence over an honest exploration of the facts, although he insists that France was not complicit in the atrocities.
For further insights on the Rwandan genocide, the BBC offers additional resources, including personal narratives and investigative reports that explore this significant historical event.
