The Rwandan Genocide

1. The Rwandan Genocide Background info for Sometimes In April (2005)

2. Genocide defined • From the USHMM: Genocide means any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such: • (a) Killing members of the group; • (b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; • (c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; • (d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; • (e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.

3. Genocide Map from the NJCHE

4. Past genocides • The term “genocide” has only been used since 1944 so not all of these atrocities were called “genocide” when they happened • Armenia (1915-1923) – one million • Holocaust (1938-1945) – 6 million Jews (11-12million in total) • Cambodia (1975-1979) – 1.7-2 million • Bosnia (1992-1993) - 96,000 • Rwanda (1994) – 800,000 – one million • Darfur (2003-today) – 300,000 and growing

5. Rwanda – brief history • Historically, Rwanda was a Tutsi monarchy • Germany began colonizing in 1899 followed by Belgium after WWI • Rwanda gained independence in 1962 • Unfortunately civil problems and violence were not rare

6. Ethnic violence in Rwanda • Although the Tutsi had much power in Rwanda the Hutu made up (and still do) a much larger portion of the population • Violence was common through the 1960s with both sides accusing the other of starting conflicts

7. The Genocide • The RPF (Rwandan Patriotic Front) was formed in 1988 • The Tutsi dominated RPF would lead raids into Rwanda from neighboring countries to reclaim the power that was once theirs • Peace was supposedly made in August of 1993 between the RPF and the Rwandan government • In April of 1994 the president of Rwanda was killed in a plane crash due to a rocket attack. • The Hutu majority blamed the Tutsi minority

8. The Genocide (con’t) • Roadblocks were set up immediately following the crash as was an identification system to find all Tutsis • Murders, rapes, and assassinations began immediately • Upwards of one million people were eventually killed and 250,000 women were raped • A lot of the violence was incited by local media, especially the radio, against the “Tutsi cockroaches”

9. World Response • Belgian troops were in country when the genocide began but withdrew almost immediately after 10 were massacred • The UN was practically ineffective because member states didn’t want to risk their own troops • Some UN missions were successful in saving some people • The US did not do anything to stop the genocide because of fear of putting troops on the ground in Africa since Somalia (1993)

10. Aftermath of the Genocide • There have been over 100,000 people charged with acts of genocide in Rwanda during the 100 day massacre • Over 1 million would be defendants fled to neighboring countries • War crime trials began in 1996 and continue today • Defendants include military personnel, civilians, and media owners (for inciting)

11. Sometimes in April • The story centers on two brothers: HonoréButera, working for Radio TélévisionLibre des Mille Collines, and AugustinMuganza, a captain in the Rwandan army,whowas married to a Tutsi woman, Jeanne, and had three children with her who bear witness to the killing of close to 800,000 people in 100 days • The movie was nominated for one Primetime Emmy and had 3 wins and 13 other nominations