Less death sentences at genocide trials

Rwandan courts have judged a total of 1,274 genocide suspects over a two-year period, 232 of whom have been sentenced to death, the independent Hirondelle news agency reported on Tuesday. It cited the Rwandan human rights watchdog body, Ligue rwandaise pour la promotion et la defense des droits de l'homme (LIPRODHOR) as saying the trials were held between 27 December 1996 and 31 December 1998, and the increase in judgements was due in part to the "group trials" and also to the incentive of reduced sentences for guilty pleas. The report notes that the number of death sentences fell from 30.8 percent in 1997 to 12.8 percent in 1998, a result of the tribunals gaining in experience.