U.S. Statement on ICTR Judgment Against Four Senior Rwandan Officers

This week, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) convicted and sentenced four senior Rwandan security officials for their role in the 1994 Rwanda genocide that killed over 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus. Of those convicted, Augustin Bizimungu, a former Rwandan army chief, was one of the lead coordinators of the genocide. He was sentenced to 30 years of imprisonment.

The other three sentenced were Augustin Ndindiliyimana, Fran�ois-Xavier Nzuwonemeye and Innocent Sagahutu. All held leadership positions in either the police or military forces during the genocide and were convicted of various war crimes, ranging from genocide to crimes against humanity.

The United States welcomes the ruling as an important step in providing justice and accountability for the Rwandan people and the international community. The conviction of Mr. Bizimungu, in particular, shows that even those at the highest levels of military leadership are not immune from prosecution in the face of such grave atrocities.

There are still 10 ICTR fugitives at-large and the United States urges all countries to continue their cooperation with the ICTR so that these fugitives can be expeditiously arrested and brought to justice.

SOURCE
US Department of State

[APO]