WASHINGTON — The Homeland Security Investigations Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center (HRVWCC) today reflects on the Rwandan genocide which took place 30 years ago in April 1994.
April 7 marks the commemoration of the Rwandan genocide, where 500,000 to one million Rwandan lives were taken in a 100-day mass killing campaign directed at Rwanda’s minority Tutsi community. Moderate Hutus and others who opposed the killings were also killed during that period.
In remembering the terrible events of the Rwandan genocide, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) remains vigilant against human rights and war crime violations and affirms its commitment to seek justice for victims of the Rwandan genocide, and victims of other human rights atrocities around the world.
“Let us never forget the mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and friends who are not here today as a result of this hate-induced atrocity,” said HSI Executive Associate Director Katrina W. Berger. “Taking the time to reflect and shed light on these dark moments in history serves as a poignant reminder of our commitment to bring those who commit human rights atrocities to justice, and to ensure the United States is not a safe haven for those who participate in these crimes.”
Established in 2008, the HRVWCC furthers HSI’s efforts to identify, locate and prosecute human rights abusers in the United States, including those who are known or suspected to have participated in persecution, war crimes, genocide, torture, extrajudicial killings, female genital mutilation and the use or recruitment of child soldiers. The HRVWCC leverages the expertise of a select group of agents, lawyers, intelligence and research specialists, historians and analysts who direct the agency’s broader enforcement efforts against these offenders.
Since 2003, HSI has arrested more than 510 individuals for human rights-related violations of the law under various criminal and/or immigration statutes. During that same period, ICE obtained deportation orders against and physically removed 1,125 known or suspected human rights violators from the United States. Additionally, ICE has facilitated the departure of an additional 195 such individuals from the United States.
Currently, HRVWCC has more than 168 active investigations into suspected human rights violators and is pursuing more than 1,850 leads and removals cases involving suspected human rights violators from 95 different countries. Since 2003, the HRVWCC has issued more than 79,000 lookouts for potential perpetrators of human rights abuses and stopped over 383 human rights violators and war crimes suspects from entering the U.S.
Members of the public who have information about foreign nationals suspected of engaging in human rights abuses or war crimes are urged to call the HSI tip line at 866-347-2423. Callers may remain anonymous.
About HSI
HSI is the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move. HSI’s workforce of more than 8,700 employees consists of more than 6,000 special agents assigned to 237 cities throughout the United States, and 93 overseas locations in 56 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.