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Rwandan Woman Is First Ever Convicted of Genocide

Pauline Nyiramasuhuko and son Arsene Ntahobali found guilty in UN court

By the Associated Press

Posted Jun 24, 2011 10:54 AM CDT

(AP) – The UN Court trying suspects of the 1994 Rwanda genocide found a female former government minister and her son guilty of war crimes today and gave both life sentences, marking the first time a woman has been convicted of genocide. Pauline Nyiramasuhuko, Rwanda's former minister for family and women affairs, and her son, Arsene Ntahobali, a former militia leader, were both found guilty of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, including rape.

The court found that the mother and son helped to abduct hundreds of ethnic Tutsis who were assaulted, raped, and killed in the southern region of Butare. Nyiramasuhuko is the only woman to be charged before the special genocide court. Also today, the court sentenced to life in prison a former mayor, Elie Ndayambaje. Three others in the joint trial were given sentences ranging between 25 and 35 years. The court said all six would be credited with time served. Click through for more on the Rwanda trial.

Skulls and bones from some of the estimated 10,000 Tutsis killed in a two-day massacre at Nyamata church during the genocide are displayed in a memorial.
Skulls and bones from some of the estimated 10,000 Tutsis killed in a two-day massacre at Nyamata church during the genocide are displayed in a memorial.   (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 4 comments
genghisKhanifer
Jun 24, 2011 11:20 AM CDT
So the old adage that a world run by women would eliminate atrocities and aggression simply means it would maybe possibly just happen less frequently. Or every month around the same time.
zdaydream
Jun 24, 2011 11:02 AM CDT
You know we debate the equality of gays and the economy as a normal everyday occurrence.  I can't imagine either making the decision to kill human beings so ruthlessly or having to live under the threat of death because I'm not of the political liking.  <:-)

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genocide • Rwanda • International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

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