REMARKS BY H.E. PRESIDENT
PAUL KAGAME
ON ACCEPTING THE “ABOLITIONIST OF THE YEAR 2007”
AWARD BY HANDS OFF CAIN
Rome, Italy
30 August 2007
• Your Excellency Romano Prodi, President of the Italian Government;
• Honourable Franco Marini, President of the Italian Senate;
• Honourable Marco Pannella, Member of the European Parliament
and President of Hands Off Cain;
• Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen:
I am delighted to be here today and honoured to accept the Abolitionist
of the Year Award, on behalf of all Rwandans for their rejection of
the death penalty in our country. I thank Hands Off Cain for this recognition.
Before 1994, life itself had lost meaning in Rwanda,
due to the prevailing culture of impunity as exemplified by the periodic
massacres that occurred since the late 1950s, and the genocide that
saw over one million Rwandans perish thirteen years ago.
The governments that presided over these ugly episodes
had neither the moral authority nor the capability to perform the functions
of a normal state – that is, protecting and improving lives.
Our liberation struggle aimed at creating an atmosphere
and space for Rwandans to engage in their daily lives and determine
their own future as free people. This has meant working consistently
to build a nation and an economy that is broad-based and productive,
as a means of uplifting our people from poverty and ignorance.
Such an enterprise can only be achieved on a foundation
of security, stability, justice, and national reconciliation. It is
this environment that is greatly enhanced by the abolition of the death
penalty.
When we began the debate on capital punishment, it
was heavily influenced by the history of genocide. Through national
dialogue and consultation however, our people realised that they had
been historically peace-loving and united, and at no time had they,
on their own accord, sought to take the lives of their neighbours.
Rwandan history therefore taught us that it was possible to overcome
hatred.
The modest socioeconomic and political milestones we
have achieved in the past thirteen years reassure us that our country
is on the right path.
I should point out that the positive change in our
country is reflective of progressive developments in Africa.
Our continent has over the past decade increasingly
rid itself of bad governments, and steadily adopted a developmental
agenda that seeks to create greater public good.
Our international partners have also in recent years
shifted towards a more consultative approach that calls for partnership
with Africa. I thank the government and people of Italy for their role
in this emerging perspective. We in Rwanda wish to utilise this environment
to forge stronger bilateral relations with Italy.
We are pleased that Rwanda has joined the family of
nations and peoples that reject the death penalty.
With regard to the ongoing campaign for a universal
moratorium on capital executions, Rwanda will be happy to work together
with other African countries, and to join the European Union in co-sponsoring
the resolution at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly, in support
of this important initiative.
The leadership by Italy in this matter is greatly appreciated.
If I may comment on the role of the international community
in contributing to justice in Rwanda, as you might be aware, there are
still many untried Rwandan genocide suspects in different parts of the
world.
It would be helpful if more commitment was shown internationally
for resolving this issue through the available channels and means, including
handing over the genocide suspects to the International Criminal Tribunal
for Rwanda, trying them where they are, or better still returning them
to their country for justice.
Once again I express my very sincere gratitude to Hands
Off Cain for the Abolitionist Award, for the excellent work that you
are doing to end the death penalty globally, and your invitation to
speak at this ceremony.
I thank you very much for your kind attention.