Rwanda genocide ruling [ICTR] News
Rwanda genocide ruling [ICTR]

The Prosecutor v. Vicent Rutaganira, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda [ICTR], March 14, 2005 [ruling sentencing Vincent Rutaganira, a former local leader, to six years in prison after he pleaded guilty to a charge of extermination by omission]. Excerpt:

The Accused knew that during the disturbances that occurred earlier in Kibuye préfecture, Tutsi civilians used to seek refuge in churches, and especially that between 8 and 15 April 1994, thousands of Tutsi civilians took refuge in the Mubuga church. Moreover, he admitted that betwee n 14 April and about 17 April 1994, the Tutsi that congregated in the said church were attacked and that the attacks resulted in thousands of deaths and numerous injuries to the men, women and children within the church. Before the attacks, the Accused saw the attackers assembling; the said attackers included armed Hutu civilians, members of the communal police and national gendarmerie. In spite of his position and knowledge of the above-mentioned facts, the Accused took no measures to protect the Tutsi.

Read the full text of the opinion here [PDF]. Reported in JURIST's Paper Chase here.