Former Hutu militia leader Bernard Munyagishari, wanted on charges of crimes against humanity, arrested after 17 years A mastermind of the Rwandan genocide has been captured 17 years later in neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo, a United Nations court has announced. Bernard Munyagishari, a former Hutu militia leader, is wanted on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity, including rape, the Tanzania-based international criminal tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) said. The fugitive, who had previously been a school teacher and football referee, was arrested by the Congolese army and an ICTR tracking unit “in difficult terrain”. Munyagishari, 52, featured in the US state department’s Rewards for Justice programme, with a reward of up to $5m (£3m) offered for his capture . The ICTR said Munyagishari was arrested in Kachanga, North Kivu in an operation involving the Congolese army and the ICTR’s tracking unit. He was being held in Goma awaiting transfer to the court in Arusha, Tanzania. “The prosecutor [Justice Hassan Bubacar Jallow] hailed the DRC authorities for their co-operation in executing the warrant of arrest despite the hurdles encountered in tracking down the fugitive in difficult terrain,” the court said. Ethnic Hutu militia and soldiers butchered 800,000 minority Tutsis and politically moderate Hutus over 100 days between April and June 1994. The victims were frequently described as “cockroaches”. The ICTR indictment says Munyagishari helped prepare and plan the genocide (pdf) . From 1992-94 he was secretary general of the National Republican Movement for Democracy and Development for Gisenyi city and president of the Interahamwe militia for the Gisenyi prefecture. Munyagishari is accused of co-founding and training the Interahamwe group in the Gisenyi region, distributing weapons to them, and exercising authority over them as they operated roadblocks in the city of Gisenyi and slaughtered Tutsis. He also allegedly created an arm of the Interahamwe with a mission of raping and killing women as a weapon of war. The court said: “The accused is alleged to have recruited, trained and led Interahamwe militiamen in mass killings and rapes of Tutsi women in Gisenyi and beyond, between April and July 1994.” During that time, according to the indictment, Munyagishari was seen armed with a pistol, Kalashnikov and club and sometimes wearing a military uniform, although he never became an official member of the Rwandan armed forces. The ICTR said that after Munyagishari’s arrest, nine of those most responsible for the slaughter were still at large. Since its establishment in late 1994, the court has delivered 46 judgments, of which eight were acquittals. Another nine cases are on appeal. Earlier this month the court sentenced the former army general Augustin Bizimungu, who prepared lists of Tutsis to be “exterminated”, to 30 years in prison . Augustin Ndindiliyimana, a former military police leader, was also found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity. Rwanda Democratic Republic of the Congo Human rights Africa David Smith guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Former Hutu militia leader Bernard Munyagishari, wanted on charges of crimes against humanity, arrested after 17 years A mastermind of the Rwandan genocide has been captured 17 years later in neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo, a United Nations court has announced. Bernard Munyagishari, a former Hutu militia leader, is wanted on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity, including rape, the Tanzania-based international criminal tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) said. The fugitive, who had previously been a school teacher and football referee, was arrested by the Congolese army and an ICTR tracking unit “in difficult terrain”. Munyagishari, 52, featured in the US state department’s Rewards for Justice programme, with a reward of up to $5m (£3m) offered for his capture . The ICTR said Munyagishari was arrested in Kachanga, North Kivu in an operation involving the Congolese army and the ICTR’s tracking unit. He was being held in Goma awaiting transfer to the court in Arusha, Tanzania. “The prosecutor [Justice Hassan Bubacar Jallow] hailed the DRC authorities for their co-operation in executing the warrant of arrest despite the hurdles encountered in tracking down the fugitive in difficult terrain,” the court said. Ethnic Hutu militia and soldiers butchered 800,000 minority Tutsis and politically moderate Hutus over 100 days between April and June 1994. The victims were frequently described as “cockroaches”. The ICTR indictment says Munyagishari helped prepare and plan the genocide (pdf) . From 1992-94 he was secretary general of the National Republican Movement for Democracy and Development for Gisenyi city and president of the Interahamwe militia for the Gisenyi prefecture. Munyagishari is accused of co-founding and training the Interahamwe group in the Gisenyi region, distributing weapons to them, and exercising authority over them as they operated roadblocks in the city of Gisenyi and slaughtered Tutsis. He also allegedly created an arm of the Interahamwe with a mission of raping and killing women as a weapon of war. The court said: “The accused is alleged to have recruited, trained and led Interahamwe militiamen in mass killings and rapes of Tutsi women in Gisenyi and beyond, between April and July 1994.” During that time, according to the indictment, Munyagishari was seen armed with a pistol, Kalashnikov and club and sometimes wearing a military uniform, although he never became an official member of the Rwandan armed forces. The ICTR said that after Munyagishari’s arrest, nine of those most responsible for the slaughter were still at large. Since its establishment in late 1994, the court has delivered 46 judgments, of which eight were acquittals. Another nine cases are on appeal. Earlier this month the court sentenced the former army general Augustin Bizimungu, who prepared lists of Tutsis to be “exterminated”, to 30 years in prison . Augustin Ndindiliyimana, a former military police leader, was also found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity. Rwanda Democratic Republic of the Congo Human rights Africa David Smith guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Former Hutu militia leader Bernard Munyagishari, wanted on charges of crimes against humanity, arrested after 17 years A mastermind of the Rwandan genocide has been captured 17 years later in neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo, a United Nations court has announced. Bernard Munyagishari, a former Hutu militia leader, is wanted on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity, including rape, the Tanzania-based international criminal tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) said. The fugitive, who had previously been a school teacher and football referee, was arrested by the Congolese army and an ICTR tracking unit “in difficult terrain”. Munyagishari, 52, featured in the US state department’s Rewards for Justice programme, with a reward of up to $5m (£3m) offered for his capture . The ICTR said Munyagishari was arrested in Kachanga, North Kivu in an operation involving the Congolese army and the ICTR’s tracking unit. He was being held in Goma awaiting transfer to the court in Arusha, Tanzania. “The prosecutor [Justice Hassan Bubacar Jallow] hailed the DRC authorities for their co-operation in executing the warrant of arrest despite the hurdles encountered in tracking down the fugitive in difficult terrain,” the court said. Ethnic Hutu militia and soldiers butchered 800,000 minority Tutsis and politically moderate Hutus over 100 days between April and June 1994. The victims were frequently described as “cockroaches”. The ICTR indictment says Munyagishari helped prepare and plan the genocide (pdf) . From 1992-94 he was secretary general of the National Republican Movement for Democracy and Development for Gisenyi city and president of the Interahamwe militia for the Gisenyi prefecture. Munyagishari is accused of co-founding and training the Interahamwe group in the Gisenyi region, distributing weapons to them, and exercising authority over them as they operated roadblocks in the city of Gisenyi and slaughtered Tutsis. He also allegedly created an arm of the Interahamwe with a mission of raping and killing women as a weapon of war. The court said: “The accused is alleged to have recruited, trained and led Interahamwe militiamen in mass killings and rapes of Tutsi women in Gisenyi and beyond, between April and July 1994.” During that time, according to the indictment, Munyagishari was seen armed with a pistol, Kalashnikov and club and sometimes wearing a military uniform, although he never became an official member of the Rwandan armed forces. The ICTR said that after Munyagishari’s arrest, nine of those most responsible for the slaughter were still at large. Since its establishment in late 1994, the court has delivered 46 judgments, of which eight were acquittals. Another nine cases are on appeal. Earlier this month the court sentenced the former army general Augustin Bizimungu, who prepared lists of Tutsis to be “exterminated”, to 30 years in prison . Augustin Ndindiliyimana, a former military police leader, was also found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity. Rwanda Democratic Republic of the Congo Human rights Africa David Smith guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Former Hutu militia leader Bernard Munyagishari, wanted on charges of crimes against humanity, arrested after 17 years A mastermind of the Rwandan genocide has been captured 17 years later in neighbouring Democratic Republic of the Congo, a United Nations court has announced. Bernard Munyagishari, a former Hutu militia leader, is wanted on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity, including rape, the Tanzania-based international criminal tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) said. The fugitive, who had previously been a school teacher and football referee, was arrested by the Congolese army and an ICTR tracking unit “in difficult terrain”. Munyagishari, 52, featured in the US state department’s Rewards for Justice programme, with a reward of up to $5m (£3m) offered for his capture . The ICTR said Munyagishari was arrested in Kachanga, North Kivu in an operation involving the Congolese army and the ICTR’s tracking unit. He was being held in Goma awaiting transfer to the court in Arusha, Tanzania. “The prosecutor [Justice Hassan Bubacar Jallow] hailed the DRC authorities for their co-operation in executing the warrant of arrest despite the hurdles encountered in tracking down the fugitive in difficult terrain,” the court said. Ethnic Hutu militia and soldiers butchered 800,000 minority Tutsis and politically moderate Hutus over 100 days between April and June 1994. The victims were frequently described as “cockroaches”. The ICTR indictment says Munyagishari helped prepare and plan the genocide (pdf) . From 1992-94 he was secretary general of the National Republican Movement for Democracy and Development for Gisenyi city and president of the Interahamwe militia for the Gisenyi prefecture. Munyagishari is accused of co-founding and training the Interahamwe group in the Gisenyi region, distributing weapons to them, and exercising authority over them as they operated roadblocks in the city of Gisenyi and slaughtered Tutsis. He also allegedly created an arm of the Interahamwe with a mission of raping and killing women as a weapon of war. The court said: “The accused is alleged to have recruited, trained and led Interahamwe militiamen in mass killings and rapes of Tutsi women in Gisenyi and beyond, between April and July 1994.” During that time, according to the indictment, Munyagishari was seen armed with a pistol, Kalashnikov and club and sometimes wearing a military uniform, although he never became an official member of the Rwandan armed forces. The ICTR said that after Munyagishari’s arrest, nine of those most responsible for the slaughter were still at large. Since its establishment in late 1994, the court has delivered 46 judgments, of which eight were acquittals. Another nine cases are on appeal. Earlier this month the court sentenced the former army general Augustin Bizimungu, who prepared lists of Tutsis to be “exterminated”, to 30 years in prison . Augustin Ndindiliyimana, a former military police leader, was also found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity. Rwanda Democratic Republic of the Congo Human rights Africa David Smith guardian.co.uk
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Government target of bringing down migration figure to tens of thousands by the next general election now in doubt Net migration to Britain has unexpectedly jumped by nearly 100,000 in the past year to 243,000, jeopardising the government’s target of bringing down the figure to “tens of thousands” by the next general election. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures published on Thursday morning show that net migration – the numbers coming to live in Britain for more than 12 months minus those going to live abroad – has risen in the 12 months to last September from 147,000 to 243,000. The sudden leap in net migration appears to have as much to do with a slump in the numbers leaving the country, which have fallen by 50,000, as a resumption in immigration, which has risen by 50,000. The ONS said that net migration from Poland and other eastern European countries had increased to 43,000 in the latest figures compared with a fall of 12,000 in the year before. The numbers coming from Poland and other new EU states has risen from 45,000 to 72,000 while those going home have fallen from 57,000 to 29,000. This takes net migration from Poland back to the levels last seen in September 2008. The official statisticians add that immigration to Britain for work-related reasons was little changed in the year to September 2010 but the numbers of those coming to study had risen by 30%. The home secretary, Theresa May, has announced a series of crackdowns on the work and student routes as part of her drive to reach the Conservative election pledge of getting net migration down to below 100,000 by the time of the general election. But the latest figures now place new doubts on that happening. Matt Cavanagh, associate director of the Institute of Public Policy Research, predicted that the government would now take even tougher measures: “It is time the government admitted that setting a target for ‘net migration’ makes little sense, and can’t be achieved without damaging Britain’s economy. “When they set the target in opposition, the Conservatives clearly hadn’t planned for emigration continuing to fall. Today’s figures show that emigration of British nationals is down by more than 25% since 2008. “This means the government will have to take even more drastic measures to try to meet their chosen target,” said Cavanagh. “They can’t control immigration from the EU. Today’s figures show net migration from eastern Europe up over 50,000 from last year. They will find it difficult to reduce family immigration. So they will have to tighten up even further on students or skilled workers coming from outside the EU – the most valuable kinds of immigration for our economy.” Immigration and asylum Population Europe Alan Travis guardian.co.uk
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Government target of bringing down migration figure to tens of thousands by the next general election now in doubt Net migration to Britain has unexpectedly jumped by nearly 100,000 in the past year to 243,000, jeopardising the government’s target of bringing down the figure to “tens of thousands” by the next general election. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures published on Thursday morning show that net migration – the numbers coming to live in Britain for more than 12 months minus those going to live abroad – has risen in the 12 months to last September from 147,000 to 243,000. The sudden leap in net migration appears to have as much to do with a slump in the numbers leaving the country, which have fallen by 50,000, as a resumption in immigration, which has risen by 50,000. The ONS said that net migration from Poland and other eastern European countries had increased to 43,000 in the latest figures compared with a fall of 12,000 in the year before. The numbers coming from Poland and other new EU states has risen from 45,000 to 72,000 while those going home have fallen from 57,000 to 29,000. This takes net migration from Poland back to the levels last seen in September 2008. The official statisticians add that immigration to Britain for work-related reasons was little changed in the year to September 2010 but the numbers of those coming to study had risen by 30%. The home secretary, Theresa May, has announced a series of crackdowns on the work and student routes as part of her drive to reach the Conservative election pledge of getting net migration down to below 100,000 by the time of the general election. But the latest figures now place new doubts on that happening. Matt Cavanagh, associate director of the Institute of Public Policy Research, predicted that the government would now take even tougher measures: “It is time the government admitted that setting a target for ‘net migration’ makes little sense, and can’t be achieved without damaging Britain’s economy. “When they set the target in opposition, the Conservatives clearly hadn’t planned for emigration continuing to fall. Today’s figures show that emigration of British nationals is down by more than 25% since 2008. “This means the government will have to take even more drastic measures to try to meet their chosen target,” said Cavanagh. “They can’t control immigration from the EU. Today’s figures show net migration from eastern Europe up over 50,000 from last year. They will find it difficult to reduce family immigration. So they will have to tighten up even further on students or skilled workers coming from outside the EU – the most valuable kinds of immigration for our economy.” Immigration and asylum Population Europe Alan Travis guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Government target of bringing down migration figure to tens of thousands by the next general election now in doubt Net migration to Britain has unexpectedly jumped by nearly 100,000 in the past year to 243,000, jeopardising the government’s target of bringing down the figure to “tens of thousands” by the next general election. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures published on Thursday morning show that net migration – the numbers coming to live in Britain for more than 12 months minus those going to live abroad – has risen in the 12 months to last September from 147,000 to 243,000. The sudden leap in net migration appears to have as much to do with a slump in the numbers leaving the country, which have fallen by 50,000, as a resumption in immigration, which has risen by 50,000. The ONS said that net migration from Poland and other eastern European countries had increased to 43,000 in the latest figures compared with a fall of 12,000 in the year before. The numbers coming from Poland and other new EU states has risen from 45,000 to 72,000 while those going home have fallen from 57,000 to 29,000. This takes net migration from Poland back to the levels last seen in September 2008. The official statisticians add that immigration to Britain for work-related reasons was little changed in the year to September 2010 but the numbers of those coming to study had risen by 30%. The home secretary, Theresa May, has announced a series of crackdowns on the work and student routes as part of her drive to reach the Conservative election pledge of getting net migration down to below 100,000 by the time of the general election. But the latest figures now place new doubts on that happening. Matt Cavanagh, associate director of the Institute of Public Policy Research, predicted that the government would now take even tougher measures: “It is time the government admitted that setting a target for ‘net migration’ makes little sense, and can’t be achieved without damaging Britain’s economy. “When they set the target in opposition, the Conservatives clearly hadn’t planned for emigration continuing to fall. Today’s figures show that emigration of British nationals is down by more than 25% since 2008. “This means the government will have to take even more drastic measures to try to meet their chosen target,” said Cavanagh. “They can’t control immigration from the EU. Today’s figures show net migration from eastern Europe up over 50,000 from last year. They will find it difficult to reduce family immigration. So they will have to tighten up even further on students or skilled workers coming from outside the EU – the most valuable kinds of immigration for our economy.” Immigration and asylum Population Europe Alan Travis guardian.co.uk
Continue reading …Government target of bringing down migration figure to tens of thousands by the next general election now in doubt Net migration to Britain has unexpectedly jumped by nearly 100,000 in the past year to 243,000, jeopardising the government’s target of bringing down the figure to “tens of thousands” by the next general election. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures published on Thursday morning show that net migration – the numbers coming to live in Britain for more than 12 months minus those going to live abroad – has risen in the 12 months to last September from 147,000 to 243,000. The sudden leap in net migration appears to have as much to do with a slump in the numbers leaving the country, which have fallen by 50,000, as a resumption in immigration, which has risen by 50,000. The ONS said that net migration from Poland and other eastern European countries had increased to 43,000 in the latest figures compared with a fall of 12,000 in the year before. The numbers coming from Poland and other new EU states has risen from 45,000 to 72,000 while those going home have fallen from 57,000 to 29,000. This takes net migration from Poland back to the levels last seen in September 2008. The official statisticians add that immigration to Britain for work-related reasons was little changed in the year to September 2010 but the numbers of those coming to study had risen by 30%. The home secretary, Theresa May, has announced a series of crackdowns on the work and student routes as part of her drive to reach the Conservative election pledge of getting net migration down to below 100,000 by the time of the general election. But the latest figures now place new doubts on that happening. Matt Cavanagh, associate director of the Institute of Public Policy Research, predicted that the government would now take even tougher measures: “It is time the government admitted that setting a target for ‘net migration’ makes little sense, and can’t be achieved without damaging Britain’s economy. “When they set the target in opposition, the Conservatives clearly hadn’t planned for emigration continuing to fall. Today’s figures show that emigration of British nationals is down by more than 25% since 2008. “This means the government will have to take even more drastic measures to try to meet their chosen target,” said Cavanagh. “They can’t control immigration from the EU. Today’s figures show net migration from eastern Europe up over 50,000 from last year. They will find it difficult to reduce family immigration. So they will have to tighten up even further on students or skilled workers coming from outside the EU – the most valuable kinds of immigration for our economy.” Immigration and asylum Population Europe Alan Travis guardian.co.uk
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The US first lady gives career advice to an audience of schoolgirls and tells them what she liked about Barack Obama when they first met
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Regulator also announces 999 text service and rules to ensure quick transferral of mobile numbers between providers Three-year broadband and phone contracts have been banned by the communications regulator Ofcom , with providers now only able to offer maximum contracts of two years. They must also make 12-month contracts available under the new regulations which bring the UK in line with EU telecoms law. The regulations also require mobile providers to transfer customers’ mobile phone numbers to a new provider within one working day. Providers must now pay “reasonable compensation” to customers should they not do so, or if there is an abuse of the process. Ofcom is allowing providers to design their own compensation schemes, but will review them after 12 months to make sure they are adequate. In addition, for those switching landlines steps have been introduced to prevent “slamming”, where a customer is switched to another provider without their permission or knowledge. Ofcom has also introduced an emergency SMS scheme which allows registered users to text the details of emergencies to the emergency services instead of calling 999. The scheme, which has been running on a voluntary basis since 2009, already has around 14,500 users and is predominantly used by hearing and speech-impaired people who find it difficult to use the phone. Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said: “These changes to the regulations should make it easier for consumers to take advantage of the wide range of competition in the UK communications market. The emergency SMS scheme has proved very successful. It is right that this service should be made permanent in order to safeguard it for the people who depend on it.” Ernest Doku, technology expert at uSwitch.com , said the rules were good news for consumers: “These longer 36-month mobile phone contracts were effectively handcuffing consumers, preventing them from getting the latest phone and saving money for three years. In such a rapidly evolving market nobody can afford to be tied down like this. Ofcom has put the power back into the hands of the people. “Three-year contracts came as a result of the sharp increase in smartphone take-up, which in some cases are worth up to £600. Now providers are required to offer 12-month contracts by law, we are likely to see providers claw back handset costs through higher contract charges.” It also emerged this week that the price of broadband has risen for the first time in five years, as a result of companies encouraging customers to switch to bundles including home phone and digital TV rather than take out stand-alone broadband. Research from Broadbandchoices.co.uk indicates that while headline broadband speeds have increased by 29% since 2010, the cost has also risen by 11% – twice the rate of inflation. Stand-alone broadband now costs £126.49 a year, or £10.54 a month for the first year, compared with £114.18 and £9.51 in 2010. At the same time, broadband speeds have increased from 14MB to 18MB. Michael Phillips of Broadbandchoices.co.uk said: “It is disappointing to see the cost of stand-alone broadband increase after so many years of broadband providers delivering price cuts to consumers. The VAT rise and effects of inflation are taking their toll, but providers are clearly placing a premium on broadband-only deals in their drive to sign up more customers to their bundled packages. “Bundles for broadband, home phone, digital TV and mobile phone services do offer excellent value to consumers but those customers who simply want a broadband-only deal should not be penalised. Broadband has become an essential utility to the majority of households across the UK, and if prices continue to rise we may see a worrying downward trend in broadband subscription across the country – denying access to essential information, communication and financial services that many consumers now rely upon to conduct their lives.” The website said the cheapest broadband and phone bundle is with TalkTalk , which charges a first-year fee including line rental of £190.20; while the cheapest provider of a broadband, phone and TV package is Virgin Media , charging £345.88 for the first year including line rental. However these recommendations do not take customer service into account. Internet, phones & broadband Household bills Family finances Consumer affairs Broadband Internet Mobile phones Telecoms Ofcom Mark King guardian.co.uk
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