Béatrice Nirere
Encyclopedia
Béatrice Nirere is a Rwanda
n politician who was convicted of genocide
for her involvement in the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. At the time of her conviction in 2009, she was a member of the Chamber of Deputies of Rwanda
, the country's lower house of parliament
.
In 1993, Nirere was a deputy governor in charge of social affairs in the Byumba
Prefecture. That year she fled from advancing troops of the Rwandan Patriotic Front
(FPR) and moved to a suburb of Kigali
. Witnesses stated that during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide Nirere was a member of the Interahamwe
militia that organised the massacre of ethnic Tutsi
s and moderate Hutu
s and that Nirere's influence with the militia derived from her political position. Nirere admitted to having handed out uniforms and other supplies to Interahamwe members, but she denied being otherwise affiliated with them. She was also accused of setting up and overseeing a roadblock where Tutsis were detained before they were killed.
In September 2008, Nirere was elected to the Chamber of Deputies
as a member of the ruling FPR. As a member of parliament, she was charged with genocide and tried in a gacaca court in Giporoso, Gasabo District. On 2 March 2009, Nirere was found guilty of genocide and sentenced to life imprisonment
.
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
n politician who was convicted of genocide
Genocide
Genocide is defined as "the deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group", though what constitutes enough of a "part" to qualify as genocide has been subject to much debate by legal scholars...
for her involvement in the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. At the time of her conviction in 2009, she was a member of the Chamber of Deputies of Rwanda
Chamber of Deputies of Rwanda
The Chamber of Deputies is the lower house of the bicameral national legislature of Rwanda.It was created under the new Constitution adopted by referendum in 2003....
, the country's lower house of parliament
Parliament
A parliament is a legislature, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system modeled after that of the United Kingdom. The name is derived from the French , the action of parler : a parlement is a discussion. The term came to mean a meeting at which...
.
In 1993, Nirere was a deputy governor in charge of social affairs in the Byumba
Byumba
Byumba is a city in northern Rwanda, and is the capital of Gicumbi district and the Northern Province. It is home to an SOS Children's Village. The city lies 60 km north of the capital Kigali, and is not far from the border with Uganda....
Prefecture. That year she fled from advancing troops of the Rwandan Patriotic Front
Rwandan Patriotic Front
The Rwandan Patriotic Front abbreviated as RPF is the current ruling political party of Rwanda, led by President Paul Kagame. It governs in a coalition with other parties...
(FPR) and moved to a suburb of Kigali
Kigali
Kigali, population 965,398 , is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is situated near the geographic centre of the nation, and has been the economic, cultural, and transport hub of Rwanda since it became capital at independence in 1962. The main residence and offices of the President of...
. Witnesses stated that during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide Nirere was a member of the Interahamwe
Interahamwe
The Interahamwe is a Hutu paramilitary organization. The militia enjoyed the backing of the Hutu-led government leading up to, during, and after the Rwandan Genocide. Since the genocide, they have been forced out of Rwanda, and have sought asylum in Congo...
militia that organised the massacre of ethnic Tutsi
Tutsi
The Tutsi , or Abatutsi, are an ethnic group in Central Africa. Historically they were often referred to as the Watussi or Watusi. They are the second largest caste in Rwanda and Burundi, the other two being the Hutu and the Twa ....
s and moderate Hutu
Hutu
The Hutu , or Abahutu, are a Central African people, living mainly in Rwanda, Burundi, and eastern DR Congo.-Population statistics:The Hutu are the largest of the three peoples in Burundi and Rwanda; according to the United States Central Intelligence Agency, 84% of Rwandans and 85% of Burundians...
s and that Nirere's influence with the militia derived from her political position. Nirere admitted to having handed out uniforms and other supplies to Interahamwe members, but she denied being otherwise affiliated with them. She was also accused of setting up and overseeing a roadblock where Tutsis were detained before they were killed.
In September 2008, Nirere was elected to the Chamber of Deputies
Chamber of Deputies of Rwanda
The Chamber of Deputies is the lower house of the bicameral national legislature of Rwanda.It was created under the new Constitution adopted by referendum in 2003....
as a member of the ruling FPR. As a member of parliament, she was charged with genocide and tried in a gacaca court in Giporoso, Gasabo District. On 2 March 2009, Nirere was found guilty of genocide and sentenced to life imprisonment
Life imprisonment
Life imprisonment is a sentence of imprisonment for a serious crime under which the convicted person is to remain in jail for the rest of his or her life...
.