On December 9, 2024, a French court convicted Cameroonian researcher Charles Onana for denying the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The conviction stemmed from his book, Rwanda, la vérité sur l’opération turquoise: quand les archives parlent (Rwanda, the Truth about the Turquoise Operation: When the Archives Speak), published on October 30, 2019.

The verdict followed a complaint filed by three organizations: CPCR, Survie, and IBUKA France. In his book, Onana claimed there was no deliberate plan for the Genocide against the Tutsi.

The court ordered Onana to pay a fine of €7,400 within 120 days, while Damien Serieyx, his publishing director, was fined €5,000. The court explained that both Onana and Serieyx would be eligible for a 20% reduction in their fines if paid within 30 days, but the reduction would not exceed €1,500.

Onana and Serieyx were also ordered to pay €11,000 in damages to the parties who filed complaints.

Commenting on the ruling, Ambassador Nduhungirehe expressed his satisfaction with the "historic decision" of the court.

“I am pleased with the decision of the XVIIth Chamber of the Paris Criminal Court, which has just found Cameroonian writer Charles Onana guilty of denying the Genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi in Rwanda,” he said.

“This is a landmark decision that, I hope, will discourage all journalists, writers, and politicians who engage in genocide denial in Europe and our region,” added Amb. Nduhungirehe.

Raphael Doridant from the Survie organization also welcomed the ruling, emphasizing that Onana’s statements in his book amounted to genocide denial.

Doridant further explained that Onana’s words were an insult to the memory and dignity of genocide victims and their families, calling the court’s decision a victory against genocide denial.

Onana’s legal team, however, expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling and announced plans to appeal the decision.

Minister Nduhungirehe expressed his satisfaction with the "historic decision" of the court in Onana's trial.