Rwanda woman found guilty of genocide

A former Rwandan government minister has been jailed for life by a UN court for her role in the 1994 genocide.

Pauline Nyiramasuhuko, Rwanda’s former minister for family and women affairs, and her son, Arsene Ntahobali, a former militia leader, were both found guilty of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity, including rape.

The court in Arusha, Tanzania, announced its verdict today. Nyiramasuhuko is the only woman charged before the court so far.

The court found that the mother and son helped to abduct hundreds of ethnic Tutsis, who were assaulted, raped and killed.

At least 500,000 ethnic Tutsis and moderate Hutus were slaughtered during Rwanda’s 100-day genocide.