'EX-FAMILY MINISTER ORDERED RAPE OF TUTSI WOMEN," WITNESS CLAIMS
By Sukhdev Chhatbar, Arusha

October 14, 2002 – (Internews - Arusha) Genocide suspect Pauline Nyiramasuhuko, former minister for family and women's affairs, ordered 'Interahamwe' to rape ethnic Tutsi women before they were killed during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, a prosecution witness today claimed before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).

The pro-Hutu Interahamwe was militia wing of the Movement of the Republic for National Development (MRND), the party that led coalition government during the violence.

The witness -- identified only as "SU" - - alleged that she saw thereafter young women raped near Butare governor's building, Rwanda Information Office (ORINFOR) and damaged cars.

SU was giving evidence in the so-called Butare Trial for six former officials of Butare, who are charged with genocide and crimes against humanity. They all have denied the charges.

Nyiramasuhuko is the only woman indicted by the ICTR. Butare trial is the largest before the tribunal.

The other defendants are: Nyiramasuhuko's son, Arsene Ntahobali, former militia leader; Elie Ndayambaje, former mayor of Muganza commune; Alphonse Nteziryayo, former commanding officer of the military police; Sylvain Nsabimana, former governor of Butare and Joseph Kanyabashi, former mayor of Ngoma commune.

The witness told the court that he heard Nyiramasuhuko telling Interahamwe to select Tutsi young girls and women to rape them "as they had refused to marry you [Interahamwe]."

SU said she observed from the Butare' governor's office where she sought for refuge in May 1994, after Tutsi killings intensified.

The killings started after downing of the plane carrying President Juvenal Habyarimana on April 6,1994 near the capital, Kigali.

Led by George Townsend of the United States, trial attorney, SU testified that Tutsi men and women were driven away to be killed, under Nyiramsuhuko's instructions." Those who refused had their throats cut."

At one point, SU claimed, Nyiramasuhuko told Nsabimana [Butare governor] and Kanyabashi [former mayor] "there is a dirt [meaning Tutsis] here [governor's office] whereas elsewhere the 'dirt' has been removed [exterminated]." Approximately 600 refugees had sought shelter there.

SU stated that she also saw Interahamwe slit a throat of a woman, after attacking her with a matchete."The woman was screaming and they [Interahamwe] hit her on the neck and loaded her on a waiting vehicle" Before the woman was attacked, Interahamwe told her to breast-feed her baby, before is killed.

Asked if she recognized officials who were at the governor's office, apart from Nyiramasuhuko, she named Nsabimana and Kanyabashi, among others, who witnessed the alleged attacks against Tutsis.

The witness told the judges that approximately 40 Tutsi boys were sought out from among the refugees under Nyiramasuhuko's orders and were taken to a place, she referred as "Brigade", and they never came back. "I never say them again."

SU says she lost her husband and five children during the violence. She continues with her evidence in chief tomorrow.

The trial is before Trial Chamber II of the ICTR, comprising Judges William Sekule of Tanzania (presiding), Winston Matanzima Maqutu of Lesotho and Arlette Ramaroson of Madagascar.

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/200210140576.html