To reach the decision, the court analyzed the history of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda and the specific actions of Dr. Munyemana, using testimonies from survivors, expert evidence, and statements from the accused himself.
Both the defense and witnesses agreed that after the assassination of President Juvénal Habyarimana on April 6, 1994, extremists, political leaders, and high-ranking military officers initiated a nationwide campaign to kill Tutsis, based on a premeditated plan.
Initially, Butare remained peaceful as its Prefect, Habyarimana Jean Baptiste, had prohibited violence. However, two days after the transitional government forced him to resign on April 17, 1994, President Théodore Sindikubwabo called on the population to "do the work," which meant killing Tutsis.
After this speech, Tutsis were targeted through roadblocks, ambushes, and mass killings at churches and government offices, which were falsely labeled as "safe," yet were set up as traps to kill them. These acts were part of a nationwide strategy.
For the court to establish a link between the violence in Butare and Dr. Munyemana's actions, it was necessary to examine detailed information about his activities, his standing in the local community, and his political affiliations.
Dr. Munyemana from Butare
Dr. Munyemana was a gynecologist who worked at Butare Hospital before and during the genocide, and also served as a lecturer at the former National University of Rwanda (UNR).
He was a member of the MDR party, the Vice President of the local intellectuals' group (Cercle des Intellectuels)of the party in Butare, and had close ties to key figures, including Kambanda Jean, the Prime Minister of the interim government.
The court found that Dr. Munyemana's reputation and influence allowed him to carry out actions that affected the Butare population, as he was seen as an influential figure.
On April 16, 1994, Dr. Munyemana, along with other intellectuals, signed a document supporting the interim government, which played a significant role in the mass killings of Tutsis. The court determined that by signing this document, Dr. Munyemana knowingly supported the continuation of the genocide.
The court's ruling, issued on October 27, 2025, stated, "It is clear that the accused, from April 16, 1994, supported the transitional government's plan and its execution, calling on Hutus to 'start work,' which meant continuing to kill 'enemies' labeled as Tutsis across the country."
Dr. Munyemana's involvement in roadblocks and patrols
The court confirmed that Dr. Munyemana attended a meeting at the Tumba sector office on April 17, 1994, where a decision was made to initiate patrols and set up roadblocks. He was assigned to a security committee responsible for implementing these measures.
From April 21, 1994, the roadblocks and patrols were used to search for and arrest Tutsis to kill them.
The court noted that Dr. Munyemana knew that Tutsis were being captured at the roadblocks and patrols, but continued to participate in these operations without intervening to stop the violence against Tutsis or protect the victims.
Dr. Munyemana admitted that François Bwanakeye, the head of Tumba sector, gave him the keys to the sector offices, which he held from April 23 to May 19, 1994.
The court found that Dr. Munyemana locked many Tutsis in the sector offices, and most of them were arrested and killed. He prevented them from escaping, allowing the Interahamwe militia to bring in more victims, whom he then handed over for execution.
Survivors from the genocide testified that Dr. Munyemana played a role in the death of Tutsi. A witness stated that one of the Tutsis who had been imprisoned at the sector offices was the only survivor.
Dr. Munyemana's defense and court's rejection
Dr. Munyemana claimed that he did not know the killings were planned, but the court found that he was well aware, as he followed the media and knew what was happening in Kigali. He was close to the leaders who orchestrated the killings.
The accused also argued that he confined Tutsis in the sector offices to protect them. However, the court found that locking them in a small building without essential resources such as food, water, or security was intended to facilitate their deaths.
Dr. Munyemana further claimed that he did not know what happened to the Tutsis after they were removed from the offices. However, the court noted that he never inquired about their fate, even though he could clearly see that those he claimed to be "rescuing" had disappeared.
To explain his inaction, Dr. Munyemana asserted that he was just a doctor with no political involvement. The court, however, disagreed, as it found that he played an active role in politics in Butare and at the national level.
Court's decision
The judges concluded that Dr. Munyemana played a direct role in the genocide by imprisoning Tutsis at the sector offices in Tumba, fully aware that they were to be killed. This constituted a crime of depriving people of their liberty with the intent to kill them as part of the genocide plan.
The court also found that Dr. Munyemana contributed to the planning of the genocide through his involvement in various meetings, his support of the genocidal government, and his participation in security operations designed to capture and kill Tutsis.
However, the court acquitted him of crimes against humanity due to lack of evidence proving that he personally tortured, murdered, or committed other inhumane acts against the Tutsis detained at the sector offices.
Dr. Munyemana was sentenced to 24 years in prison, a sentence he had previously received from the Paris Court of Assizes in December 2023.
IGIHE
Source : https://en.igihe.com/news/article/grounds-for-dismissing-munyemana-s-appeal-in-genocide-case
