Pauline Nyiramasuhuko

Nyamata Memorial Site 13

Pauline Nyiramasuhuko (born 1946) is a Rwandan politician who served as the Minister for Family and Women's Affairs. She is notably the first woman to be convicted of genocide by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). Her trial and conviction were significant for highlighting the role of women in perpetrating genocide and for addressing sexual violence as an integral part of the genocidal campaign during the Rwandan Genocide.

Early Life and Education

Pauline Nyiramasuhuko was born in 1946 in Butare, Rwanda. Details about her early life and education are sparse, but she went on to study social work at the National University of Rwanda. Her educational background laid the foundation for her career in public service, particularly in roles related to family and women's affairs.

Political Career

Nyiramasuhuko began her political career in the early 1990s, when she was appointed as the Minister for Family and Women's Affairs in the Rwandan government. In this capacity, she was responsible for policies affecting the welfare of families and the promotion of women's rights. However, her tenure took a dark turn with the onset of the Rwandan Genocide in 1994.

Role in the Rwandan Genocide

During the genocide, Nyiramasuhuko was accused of orchestrating and participating in atrocities against the Tutsi population. She was specifically charged with conspiracy to commit genocide, incitement to commit genocide, and rape as a crime against humanity. It was alleged that she ordered or encouraged the rape of Tutsi women and girls as a weapon of genocide. Her actions represented a horrifying intersection of gender-based violence and genocidal policy.

Trial and Conviction

Nyiramasuhuko was arrested in July 1997 and transferred to the custody of the ICTR. Her trial began in 2001 and lasted several years, highlighting the complexities of prosecuting sexual violence in international law. In June 2011, she was found guilty of genocide, conspiracy to commit genocide, extermination, and rape as a crime against humanity. She was sentenced to life imprisonment, marking a landmark case in the prosecution of gender-based crimes in conflict settings.

Legacy

The conviction of Pauline Nyiramasuhuko is significant for several reasons. It marked the first time a woman was convicted of genocide and rape as a crime against humanity, setting a precedent in international law. Her case also underscored the role of women as perpetrators in genocidal regimes, challenging stereotypes about gender and violence. Furthermore, it highlighted the use of sexual violence as a tool of war and genocide, contributing to the evolving understanding and prosecution of such crimes in international law.

See Also

• Rwandan Genocide
• International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda
• Genocide
• Sexual violence in conflict