Rwanda suspects' conjugal rights

By Jamhuri Mwavyombo
BBC News, Arusha

Some 800,000 people were killed in the 1994 genocide

The UN war crimes tribunal for the Rwandan genocide has granted suspects and prisoners at its detention centre in Tanzania conjugal rights.

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, set up to try the most high-profile cases, says the decision was taken to uphold basic human rights.

The detainees are now free to have sexual relations with their spouses.

But the move is likely to be criticised by Rwanda, which says the tribunal treats suspects like hotel guests.

The ICTR was set up by the United Nations in the Tanzanian town of Arusha, in 1997, to try those accused of involvement in the Rwandan genocide.

An estimated 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed in 1994.

Excitement

The decision on conjugal rights was taken quietly by the ICTR registrar in May, but the change of policy was confirmed on Thursday.

News of the decision was leaked to the BBC's by various sources.

It is reported there has been excitement and increased visits to the UN detention facilities by spouses of the suspects and prisoners.

But only recognised wives, husbands and girlfriends, whose names are registered with the prison office are allowed to come for the visits.

There is only one female suspect at the detention facility.

The move is seen as a big win for the detainees, who have been fighting for these rights for several years.

The detainees had demanded to be accorded similar rights as their counterparts at the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia in The Hague, who have enjoyed the rights since the inception of the court more than 15 years ago.

The ICTR had previously denied the detainees the rights, saying it was not a common practice in the region.

The decision has been taken as the tribunal is about to wind up its work after almost 14 years, but the registrar says it is never too late and that the matter has been under consideration for some time.

The ICTR has defended the move, saying it is an independent body and makes its own decisions.

The tribunal said all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty, though it acknowledged that the conjugal rights are also extended to prisoners in its custody.

The tribunal has convicted 28 people and acquitted five so far.