The U.S. government has welcomed convictions by the Arusha Based international Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) of the leaders of a political party tied to the 1994 Rwandan Tutsi genocide.
The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda announced the convictions of former National Republican Movement for Democracy and Development President Mathieu Ngirumpatse and former MRND Vice President and Minister of Interior Edouard Karemera on charges of genocide.
U.S. State Department spokesman Mark Toner said that while at least nine fugitives are still on the run, the ruling was a positive development.
“The United States welcomes this ruling as an important step in providing justice and accountability for the Rwandan people and the international community,” he said.
Both of the leaders were key figures in the interim government that helped establish the Interahamwe militia that played a dominate role in the execution of 1994 Tutsi Genocide.
ICTR found both leaders responsible for sexual violence committed against Tutsi women and girls during the Genocide.
Both men were convicted for their role in criminal acts meant to destroy the Tutsi population in Rwanda. Both men were sentenced to life in prison for their role in the genocide.
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