1.   Lorentini headed the victims association until disbanding it three years ago when legal proceedings in the matter ended and small indemnities were paid.

2.   Five Rwandan human rights groups and victim support associations had asked that the trials be postponed because of shortcomings in the national judicial system.

3.   Kidnapping has become a veritable industry in Colombia, with one person abducted and held for ransom every six hours, according to a report by a victims association.

4.   The Frankfurter Rundschau to appear Monday says Labour Minister Norbert Bluem has written to Ludwig Baumann, the president of a victims association, detailing the new provisions.