Rwandan Official Arrested for Genocide
COREN: Welcome back. I'm Anna Coren, in Hong Kong. You're watching NEWS STREAM, and these are your world headlines. The European Union and the International Monetary Fund have reached agreement with Greece for Athens to slash its budget deficit by $40 billion. Well, the deal paves the way for new bailout money to prevent Greece from defaulting on its debt, but that will only happen if the Greek parliament backs the cuts in a vote next week. At least 11 people have been killed and more than 40,000 forced out of their homes by storms in the Philippines. Well, flash floods and landslides are being reported in a number places, but there is some good news. Tropical Storm Meari is rapidly moving north and the weather is expected to improve. Officials in Turkey say almost 12,000 Syrians are now seeking refuge in the country. Well, the latest influx (inaudible) tense standoff near the border. And activists tell CNN government troops in tanks inside the village of Kabut (ph). It's a situation the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton describes as worrisome. Well, the execution of an Indonesian woman in Saudi Arabia is drawing a strong reaction in her home country. Well, these protesters say Jakarta must do more to protect its citizens working abroad. Well, the kingdom beheaded a maid who was convicted of murdering her employer's wife. Indonesia now plans to ban its citizens from working as laborers in Saudi Arabia. Well, Indonesia's foreign minister says the moratorium will not be lifted until such a time that we can be assured that our workers would enjoy the necessary protection that they deserve. Well, more than 1 million Indonesians work in Saudi Arabia. A researcher at Human Rights Watch says there are reports the convicted maid was prohibited from returning home to Indonesia. Nisha Varia spoke with my colleague Zane Vergee about the ways domestic workers can be abused.</s>NISHA VARIA, HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH: There are a range of problems that domestic workers in Saudi Arabia are facing. One problem is poor treatment in the criminal justice system where they might be executed without anyone knowing about it. But they're also subject to labor exploitation, often not getting paid for months or years. In many cases confined to the workplace, having their passports confiscated, and sometimes subject to physical and sexual abuse. We would like the Saudi government to cover these workers under the labor law and make sure that they have access to the police and to their embassies if they need help.</s>COREN: Well, Nisha also says cases of abuse happen fairly frequently in Saudi Arabia. One truly horrifying incident happened late last year to this Sri Lankan house maid. Well, doctors removed 18 nails and metal particles from her arms, legs and forehead. Well, they were allegedly hammered into her body by her employers. The couple were reportedly arrested, but it's unclear if they were punished. Well, other cases also made headlines last year. This Indonesian woman died in November. Her body found on the streets of a Saudi town. Human Rights Watch says her body showed signs of physical abuse. Well, this woman, also Indonesian, said she was tortured by her Saudi employer. Officials reported she was severely beaten, had cuts to her face, and possible burns from an iron. But she received justice. In January, Saudi media reported her unidentified female employer was sentenced to three years in prison for the abuse. Well, some called it a first for the kingdom. Well, a former Rwandan government minister has been convicted of genocide by a UN court and sentenced to life in prison. Well, Pauline Nyiramasuhuko was one of the first women to be charged with genocide. She was the minister for family and women's affairs in Rwanda when 800,000 people were killed back in 1994. Well, they were mostly ethnic Tutusis. Nyiramasuhuko was also convicted of incitement to rape. Well, her son and four other officials are also charged. Well, Roland Amoussouga is with the UN International Tribunal for Rwanda and joins us live from Arusha, Tanzinia. Roland, tell us how significant is this sentence?</s>ROLAND AMOUSSOUGA, UN TRIBUNA FOR RWANDA: Indeed, this sentence is extremely significant, because this is the first time that a woman has been charged with genocide before (inaudible) and were therefore convicted on all counts except three. So this is a very important milestone in the (inaudible) existance. And along with her, we have also five other accused persons who were convicted today.</s>COREN: Roland, as you say, she is the first woman to be charged with genocide, I should say, and incitement to rape. Explain her role back in 1994 during the genocide.</s>AMOUSSOUGA: Yes, according to the trial chamber today, she was found guilty for entering in agreements with members of the entering government to kill two chief in the Butare prefecture. As you Butare was the second important city in Rwanda. Secondly, the trial chamber found her guilty for ordering the killings of tutsis taking refuge in that same office. And also, with respect to the rape as crime against humanity, the trial chamber finds her guilty as a superior of the (inaudible) who raped the tutsis, those are the (inaudible) who were raping tutsis taking refuge at the Butare prefecture office. And this, she was also held guilty for many crimes that she was -- she was involved in with her son, Arsene Ntahobal, who was also today sentenced to life.</s>COREN: Well, then why has it taken so long to convict and sentence these people?</s>AMOUSSOUGA: Yes, in this -- this is one of the most important case. It started in 2001 in Arusha. And it involved six people. And as you know, the tribunal has to investigate these matter. And most of the investigations were carried out elsewhere and also in Rwanda. And witnesses came from all over the world. And today it was important to note that even the decision that was rendered today is about 1,500 pages. And many witnesses came to testify before this court. And the process is extremely long because it takes extremely long time to get the evidence induced and to have also all the parties cross examine the witnesses.</s>COREN: Well, and what does it mean for the people of Rwanda. Does this reopen old wounds, or does it provide some sort of a closure?</s>AMOUSSOUGA: No, I believe this although this decision is not yet a final decision, because the parties will certainly appeal, we can hope that this decision of today will bring a good closure to the victims and to the people of Rwanda. And also it is important for those who have been held in detention to have their day in court and to receive a decision. And from there they can see how they can manage to beat that decision before the (inaudible). Otherwise the ICITA (ph) right now has almost fulfilled its mandate, because 90 percent of the work has been done. And the people who can look (ph) and see that ICITA (ph) has been a great contributor in the restoration of justice, to the restoration of peace in the mind of the people. And this is a step forward toward the healing process that the people of Rwanda have embarked on.</s>COREN: Well, that is great news. A step forward in the healing process. Roland Amoussouga from the UN International Criminal Tribunal joining us from Arusha, Tanzania. Thank you so much for that. Well, coming up on News Stream, the price of crude takes a tumble after the International Energy Agency decides to intervene in the oil markets. We'll explain shortly.