Leon Mugesera, a former Rwandan politician, has been deported back from Canada to face charges arising from comments he made which may have been the impetus of the Rwandan genocide in 1994. Mugesera fled to Canada after being charged with inciting hatred in Rwanda.
Mugesera avoided deportation for almost two decades even though there was a Minister of Citizenship and Immigration ruling for him to be deported in 1995.
Mugesera had been able to remain in Canada due to the country's policy to avoid extraditing individuals who may face torture or the death penalty. However, the Rwandan justice system had improved since the time when the deportation order was made and his last ditch effort to have the order stayed was unsuccessful in the Quebec Superior Court.
The outcome was delayed due to referrals and appeals to international bodies, including the UN Committee against Torture. The case may lead to more deportation of Rwandans charged with war crimes, both in Canada and elsewhere. Carina Tertsakian, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch said "We are now seeing a number of other countries where there are genocide suspects and these countries are now considering extraditing these individuals to Rwanda partly on the basis of [the Canadian] decision".
The Court blog has said that this case - particularly the delays involved - illustrates the expansive nature of the Canadian appellate system.
Click here to see a piece by Reuters on the case.