Rwanda wants genocide 'orphans' returned from Europe

KIGALI (Reuters) -- Rwanda called for international help on Monday in securing the return of children flown out of the country during its 1994 genocide.

Some of the children had been orphaned, their parents murdered in the 100-day genocide that claimed 800,000 lives. Others still have parents or families who want them back.

Many were flown out by charities and have since been adopted in European nations like France, Belgium and Italy. Thousands of others are in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo Republic and Tanzania.

Rwanda has been calling for their return and reiterated its appeal for help on Monday at the start of a five-day conference on the rights of children in Rwanda.

"These countries cannot adopt these children without the consent of the Rwandan government and their parents or relatives," Janet Kagame, wife of President Paul Kagame, said as she opened the conference.

In one case, 41 children were taken to Italy and adopted. Rwanda's attempts to have them returned to their families failed in an Italian court but the government here says it will appeal the ruling and will fight for the return of all children whose families are still alive and want them back.

"Because of the confusion due to the genocide, some 'orphans' were separated from their parents and relatives, and were in the process taken by international organisations to Europe," Justice Minister Jean de Dieu Mucyo told Reuters.

"These children today have parents and relatives who are requesting their repatriation from Europe," he said.

Copyright 2000 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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