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For Immediate Release
Contact:

Suzanne Trimel, 212-633-4150, strimel@aiusa.org

Conviction in Major Case Against Planner of Rwanda Genocide Sends Strong Message That Justice is Being Served, Says Amnesty

But Others Responsible Must Be Sought, Urges Human Rights Organization

NEW YORK

Vienna Colucci, director of International Justice for Amnesty International USA issued the following statement today in response to the conviction by a U.N. tribunal of Colonel Theoneste Bagosora for the Rwandan genocide:

"Bagosora and others planned and carried out the murders of hundreds of thousands of Rwandans. Justice is being served in his case, and the survivors should take some measure of strength from his conviction.

"But Bagosora did not act alone. There are many others who still walk free who took part in the Rwandan genocide. Many of them are living in exile. The international community must complement the work of the U.N. tribunal by prosecuting all those against whom there is evidence of their part in the genocide.

"The trials must be fair and meet international standards. The U.N. tribunal must immediately prosecute members of the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF) who are also known to have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity."

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 2.2 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.

Amnesty International is a global movement of millions of people demanding human rights for all people - no matter who they are or where they are. We are the world's largest grassroots human rights organization.

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