Investigations begin for Gacaca genocide trials

Rwanda's traditional communal courts, known as Gacaca, set up to try crimes committed during the 1994 genocide, began systematic investigations nationwide on Monday.

"Our intention is to have these investigations completed before yearend to enable the Gacaca courts to start by early 2006," Domitilla Mukantaganzwa, the executive secretary of the Gacaca justice service, said in Kigali.

In the current investigative phase, communities are to hold public meetings in which residents identify victims and suspects, Mukantaganzwa said. In the trails, victims and suspects must face each other and talk before a panel of locally elected judges. Later the judges will issue verdicts.

Officials said up to one million people - that is one-eight of the population - could be on trial. Previously, pilot trials were held. Authorities are to set up 9,013 courts in villages around the country. Already, 751 pilot Gacaca courts have begun functioning.

The Gacaca justice system was reintroduced in 2001 in an effort to ease pressure on the conventional criminal justice system, which will hear the cases of over 80,000 Category 1 prisoners: these are suspected organisers, planners, instigators, supervisors and leaders of the genocide. Many other suspects are still at large. The Gacaca courts will hear the cases of categories 2-4 prisoners, whose cases are less serious that those of Category 1.