France, Universal Jurisdiction and Rwandan génocidaires: The Simbikangwa Trial

In 2014, 20 years after the Rwandan genocide, the first trial took place in France of a Rwandan génocidaire , Pascal Simbikangwa, despite the presence on French territory of a number of genocide suspects for many years, various extradition requests by Rwanda — declined by France — and numerous arrests and investigations. This article looks at questions surrounding jurisdiction in the Simbikangwa case and the reasons why the French courts heard this case. The article examines some issues that may hold significance in the future for the choice of arena in bringing to justice those suspects of the Rwandan genocide living in France.