Nuns deny part in Rwandan massacre

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- Two Rwandan nuns on trial for alleged complicity in the murder of thousands of Tutsis in the genocide that swept through their country told a court they were innocent bystanders.

Sister Gertrude and Sister Maria Kizito told the landmark trial in Brussels on Friday that they were powerless to protect the thousands of Tutsis attempting to take shelter at their convent in the southern city of Butare in Rwanda in April 1994.

Sister Gertrude, the mother superior at the convent, said: "I never wanted anybody to die.

"I suffered with the people. I am not a racist."

COUNTRY PROFILES At a glance: Rwanda Provided by CountryWatch.com

The Roman Catholic Benedictine nuns are among four Rwandans charged with multiple homicide and premeditated murder.

The jury is hearing evidence on whether the two nuns collaborated with the Hutu mob which killed 7,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus under a 1993 law which allows Belgian courts to judge people accused of war crimes abroad.

Prosecutors say that Sister Gertrude pleaded with local authorities to kick the refugees out of the convent grounds, even though she knew that would mean they would all be killed.

The victims were murdered by soldiers and militiamen who used machetes, guns, and grenades.

The two women belong to Rwanda's majority Hutu tribe.

Sister Maria Kizito is accused of supplying petrol to the militia as it prepared to burn down the convent's garage, where about 600 Tutsis were seeking safety.

She rejected all racial descriptions.

"I am not a Hutu, I am not Tutsi, I am a child of God."

Sister Gertrude said: "People were being killed before my eyes.

"I wanted to help but I couldn't. I was frozen."

The other defendants are university professor Vincent Ntezimana and businessmen Alphonse Higaniro who both fled to Belgium, a former colonial power, after the genocide.

All four face life sentences, if found guilty. They deny the charges.

The trial, which began on April 16, is scheduled to run until at least the end of May.

Nuns face Rwanda war crimes trial
April 17, 2001

See related sites about Europe

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.