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Rwanda frees genocide prisoners Rwanda frees genocide prisoners
(1 day later)
Rwanda is releasing more than 9,000 prisoners, most of whom are in jail over the 1994 genocide which left about 800,000 people - mostly Tutsis - dead.Rwanda is releasing more than 9,000 prisoners, most of whom are in jail over the 1994 genocide which left about 800,000 people - mostly Tutsis - dead.
This is the latest wave of releases under a 2003 presidential decree. About 60,000 inmates have been freed since.This is the latest wave of releases under a 2003 presidential decree. About 60,000 inmates have been freed since.
The government has said the releases are to ease overcrowding and foster reconciliation, Reuters reports.The government has said the releases are to ease overcrowding and foster reconciliation, Reuters reports.
The latest group to be freed does not include any major figures involved in the genocide, an official said.The latest group to be freed does not include any major figures involved in the genocide, an official said.
About 800,000 Tutsis and Hutu moderates were slaughtered during the country's 100-day genocide of 1994.About 800,000 Tutsis and Hutu moderates were slaughtered during the country's 100-day genocide of 1994.
Since 1997 a UN tribunal sitting in Tanzania has convicted 26 ringleaders of the genocide and acquitted four people, according to its website.Since 1997 a UN tribunal sitting in Tanzania has convicted 26 ringleaders of the genocide and acquitted four people, according to its website.
Rwanda has also been trying people accused over the genocide in local institutions known as gacaca courts.Rwanda has also been trying people accused over the genocide in local institutions known as gacaca courts.
RehabilitationRehabilitation
The Rwandan government says that most of the thousands released since President Paul Kagame's 2003 decree are the sick, elderly and children.The Rwandan government says that most of the thousands released since President Paul Kagame's 2003 decree are the sick, elderly and children.
"The group that has been released excludes key masterminds of the genocide," Rwanda's chief prosecutor told the Reuters news agency."The group that has been released excludes key masterminds of the genocide," Rwanda's chief prosecutor told the Reuters news agency.
Genocide survivors, however, are outraged and accuse the released inmates of planning more ethnic crimes.Genocide survivors, however, are outraged and accuse the released inmates of planning more ethnic crimes.
"They should ensure that they keep an eye on these people because some of them continue to harbour a genocide ideology", said Theodore Simburdali, president of a local genocide survivors group told Reuters."They should ensure that they keep an eye on these people because some of them continue to harbour a genocide ideology", said Theodore Simburdali, president of a local genocide survivors group told Reuters.
Inmates at the central prison were crowding round the windows of their cells waiting to hear if their names were called out, a BBC correspondent in Kigali says.Inmates at the central prison were crowding round the windows of their cells waiting to hear if their names were called out, a BBC correspondent in Kigali says.
He adds that women prisoners, waiting in the sun with their belongings packed, were seen shouting with joy if their names were on the list. The prisoners will go to rehabilitation camps for two months before being allowed home.He adds that women prisoners, waiting in the sun with their belongings packed, were seen shouting with joy if their names were on the list. The prisoners will go to rehabilitation camps for two months before being allowed home.
Many thousands more people remain in Rwanda's overcrowded jails.Many thousands more people remain in Rwanda's overcrowded jails.

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