R. V. Munyaneza: Pondering Canada's First Core Crimes Conviction

Abstract

Canada recently completed its first genocide trial, which resulted in the conviction of the Rwandan accused, Desiré Munyaneza, for crimes committed during the Rwandan genocide. While the case is still under appeal, it represents a significant success for Canada’s relatively new core crimes legislation, the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act, and was the first prosecution undertaken pursuant to that law. Drawing upon the Munyaneza case, the authors analyze the legislation and evaluate its effectiveness. They conclude that the model is an effective one that both bodes well for Canada’s future participation in the battle against impunity, and provides a model upon which other states might wish to draw.

Keywords: Canada, Crimes Against Humanity, Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act (Canada), genocide, universal jurisdiction, Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, Rwanda, war crimes