Genocide: A Global
Challenge
The Rwanda Case Study and
International Response
Introduction
The “Genocide” word formed from Greek genos, for
race, and Latin caedere, for killing, The mass organized,
systemic, physical elimination of a specific racial or
ethnic group.
The word genocide was first coined by Polish lawyer
Raphael Lemkin in 1944, the term was developed in
response to nazi policies of systematic murder of
Jewish people within the holocaust. Genocide was first
recognized as a crime under international law in 1946
by United nation general assembly.
Genocide is a form of one-sided mass killing in
which a state or other authority intent to destroy a
group, as that group and membership in it are
defined by the perpetrator.
Definition of Genocide
Genocide is a crime, defined by the Convention on the Prevention
and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, adopted by the United
Nations General Assembly in 1948.
According to Article II of the Convention, genocide means acts
committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national,
ethnical, racial or religious group:
(a) Killing members of the group
(b) Causing serious physical or mental harm to members of the
group
(c) Intentionally subjecting the group to living conditions intended
to cause its physical destruction, in whole or in part
(d) Imposing measures aimed at preventing the birth of children
within the group
(e) Forcibly transferring children from the group to another group.
History of Genocide Convention
The Genocide Convention was born in response to World
War II, which saw atrocities such as the Holocaust that
lacked an adequate description or legal definition. Polish-
Jewish lawyer Raphael Lemkin, who had coined the term
genocide in 1944 to describe Nazi policies in occupied
Europe and the Armenian genocide, campaigned for its
recognition as a crime under international law.
Genocide Convention was first human rights treaty
adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, on 9
December 1948. The Convention entered into force on 12
January 1951 and has 152 state parties as of 2022.
Genocide convention signified the international
community’s commitment to ‘never again’ after the
atrocities committed during the ww2.
The Genocide Convention
The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the
Crime of Genocide (CPPCG), or the Genocide Convention, is an
international treaty that criminalizes genocide and obligates
state parties to pursue the enforcement of its prohibition. It
was the first legal instrument to codify genocide as a crime. Article 3: Act of genocide
The following acts shall be
The Convention defines genocide as any of five "acts punishable:
committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, (a) Genocide
ethnical, racial or religious group. (b) Conspiracy to commit
genocide
(c) Direct and public incitement to
commit genocide
The CPPCG has influenced law at both the national and (d) Attempt to commit genocide
international level. Its definition of genocide has been adopted (e) Complicity in genocide.
by international and hybrid tribunals, such as the International
Criminal Court, and incorporated into the domestic law of
several countries.
Case Study: Rwanda Genocide
The Rwandan genocide, also known as the
genocide against the Tutsi. occurred between 7
April and 19 July 1994 during the Rwandan Civil
War.
The Rwandan Genocide Genocide is the deliberate
killing of a large group of people, especially those
of a particular ethnic group or nation. The Hutu
extremists did not like the Tutsi because of the
last few years under oppressive Tutsi rule; they
believed many of the Tutsi citizens supported the
rebel group Rwandan Patriotic Front. From April to
July 1994, over 800,000 Tutsi and thousands of
Hutu moderates were killed all within a period of
100 days.
Historical background of ethnic tensions in Rwanda
Pre-independent Rwanda Revolution and Hutu–Tutsi
and the origins of Hutu, relations after independence Rwandan Civil War
Tutsi and Twa groups
Pre-independent Rwanda saw the emergence After gaining independence, Rwanda In the 1980s, 500 Rwandan refugees in
of the Hutu, Tutsi, and Twa groups. There are experienced significant shifts in Hutu- Uganda, led by Fred Rwigyema, fought in
theories suggesting that the Hutu may have Tutsi relations. The Hutu emancipation the Ugandan Bush War. By 1990, they
been early settlers, with the Tutsi migrating movement, fueled by dissatisfaction with so planned an invasion of Rwanda, forming
later and possibly forming a distinct group. By cial reforms and growing Hutu empowerment the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). They
1700, Rwanda had coalesced into kingdoms, within the Catholic Church, restarted the war in 1991, capturing
with the Tutsi-led Kingdom of Rwanda led to the "Bahutu Manifesto" in 1957, territory but facing resistance. In 1992,
becoming dominant. Colonial powers, advocating for power to be transferred ceasefire talks began, disrupted by
particularly Belgium, reinforced divisions from Tutsis to Hutus.Tensions erupted on extremist Hutu violence leading to the
between these groups, leading to the November 1, 1959, with violence between Hut Arusha Accords in 1993, granting RPF
categorization of Rwandans into ethnic us and Tutsis. Backed by Belgium, Hutus positions in a transitional government.
identities. This colonial legacy reshaped gained political control, establishing a Hutu-
ethnic identities and fueled tensions between dominated republic and achieving
the groups. independence in 1962. This resulted in mass
exodus of Tutsis, facing reprisal killings and
exile. Till 1970s violence continued.
April 6 April 7 April 8 April 28-30
The assassination of Roadblocks are estab The Rwandan Patriotic Massive numbers of
Rwandan President Juvénal lished by the Rwandan Armed Front, led by future Rwandan Rwandans, primarily Hutus,
Habyarimana occurs when Forces (FAR) and the president Paul Kagame, flee the RPF advance,
his plane is shot down by a Interahamwe. A door-to-door launches a significant resulting in a refugee crisis.
rocket-propelled grenade campaign of violence targeting offensive aimed at ending Meanwhile, the UN debates
strike. Ethnically motivated Tutsis and moderate Hutus the genocide and rescuing the situation in Rwanda but
killings of Tutsis by radical ensues, resulting in soldiers trapped in Kigali. hesitates to use the term
Hutus begin. widespread massacres. "genocide."
Rwandan Genocide Time line 1994
May 17 June 22 July August
The UN agrees to send in Opération Turquoise is The Hutu government flees An agreement is establish
6,800 policemen to protect established by France to as the RPF captures Kigali. the International Criminal
civilians, but the killings of protect Hutu genocidaires A cholera epidemic in Zaire Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)
Tutsis continue. and stall the RPF advance. (now the Democratic to try major war criminals.
Republic of the Congo) kills
thousands of Hutu refugees.
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda
(UNAMIR)
The United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) was
established by United Nations Security Council Resolution on 5
October 1993. It was intended to assist in the implementation of the
Arusha Accords, signed on 4 August 1993, which was meant to end
the Rwandan Civil War.. Its activities were meant to aid the peace
process between the Hutu-dominated Rwandese government and
the Tutsi-dominated rebel Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF).
UNAMIR’s role and limitations during the genocide:-
Role: Limitations:
UNAMIR provided refuge for thousands of UNAMIR operated under a Chapter VI
Tutsis and moderate Hutus at Amahoro mandate, which focused on
Stadium, Hôtel des Mille Collines and other peacekeeping and conflict resolution
secure UN sites. rather than military intervention. This
restricted its ability to take decisive
The mission also assisted in the
action to stop the genocide.
evacuation of foreign nationals and
maintained a presence to observe and
report on the evolving situation.
Aftermath of the genocide
Refugee crisis
Hutu refugees particularly entered the eastern portion of
Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or
DRC). approximately two million Hutu fled to refugee
camps in neighbouring countries, particularly Zaire. The
refugee camps, initially set up by the United Nations High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), became
overcrowded and unsanitary, leading to disease
epidemics and thousands of deaths.
Congo Wars
Hutu refugees particularly entered the eastern portion of
Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or DRC).
Hutu genocidaires began to regroup in refugee camps along
the border with Rwanda. Declaring a need to avert further
genocide, the RPF-led government made military incursions
into Zaire, resulting in the First (1996–97) and Second
(1998–2003) Congo Wars.
Domestic situation
The infrastructure and economy of the country
had suffered greatly during the genocide.
Human resources were severely depleted, over
40% of the population having been killed or
fled. Many of the remainder were traumatized
most had lost relatives, witnessed killings or
participated in the genocide.
The long-term effects of war-rape in Rwanda
for the victims include social isolation,
sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted
pregnancies and babies, with some women
resorting to self-induced abortions.
Graph showing the population of Rwanda from
1961 to 2003.
Interventionism and Peacekeeping
Interventionism and peacekeeping are two distinct
approaches to addressing conflicts and crises, each with its
own methods, and implications.
Interventionism: Interventionism is action taken by a
government to influence the political or economic affairs of
another country. It may be an act of military, political,
cultural, humanitarian, or economic intervention intended to
maintain international order.
Peacekeeping: Peacekeeping refers to the deployment of
national or, more commonly, multinational forces for the
purpose of helping to control and resolve an actual or
potential armed conflict between or within states. Most
peacekeeping operations are undertaken with the
authorization of, and are often led by, the United Nations
(UN).
How interventionism and peacekeeping
relate to genocide prevention
Intervelism and genocide prevention Peacekeeping and genocide prevention
According to the genocide convention genocide is a Member countries of the UN and United Nations Security Council
international crime and all countries seeking measures maintain international peace and security by preventing disputes,
for the prevention of genocide and punishment to the conflicts, i.e., genocide. The UN deploys peacekeeping missions to areas
guilty. of conflict, including those impacted by genocide, civil war. These
All countries in order to prevent genocide shall enact a missions are composed of military, police, civilian personnel from
law to give effect to the genocide convention countries member states. They support negotiations with the objective of restoring
must grant extradition in case of genocide and shall not peace.
consider genocide as a political crime,
Countries should not provide support and refuse to The UNSC can impose economic and political sanctions such as trade
people responsible to genocide. sanctions, travel bans against countries that threaten international
security and order. The UN provides humanitarian aid in affected areas
that help alleviate suffering, save lives, etc.
The UN promotes adherence to international law, treaties, and
conventions that secure international peace and security. The UN
promotes disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction.
Analysis of peacekeeping efforts on
Rwanda post-genocide
Following the genocide, Rwanda faced the immense challenge of rebuilding
communities, providing justice, and fostering reconciliation. After Rwanda gained
independence, the new Rwandan government, led by the RPF, declared a policy of
unity and reconciliation to address the immense physical and psychological damage
caused by the genocide.
RPF Takeover and Coalition Justice and Accountability: Healing and Reconciliation
Government:- ICTR and Gacaca Courts:- Initiatives:-
The RPF took control of the Rwandan the International Criminal Tribunal for Organizations such as World Vision
government, establishing a coalition Rwanda (ICTR) and Rwanda’s own played a crucial role in facilitating
government and promoting unity and community-driven Gacaca courts were healing and reconciliation in
reconciliation. The new government, which established. marked the first ever Rwanda. Its peacebuilding and
replaced the former Hutu government, was interpretation of the definition of reconciliation programs provided
committed to addressing the genocide as outlined in the 1948 Geneva care for numerous orphaned
consequences of the genocide, including Conventions, and also characterized children, supplied vital emergency
widespread devastation, the decimation of rape as a method of genocide. relief to displaced persons, and
families, and the displacement of millions assisted resettlement efforts.
of people, including many Hutu
perpetrators.
How interventionism and peacekeeping
relate to genocide prevention
Intervelism and genocide prevention Peacekeeping and genocide prevention
According to the genocide convention genocide is a Member countries of the UN and United Nations Security Council
international crime and all countries seeking measures maintain international peace and security by preventing disputes,
for the prevention of genocide and punishment to the conflicts, i.e., genocide. The UN deploys peacekeeping missions to areas
guilty. of conflict, including those impacted by genocide, civil war. These
All countries in order to prevent genocide shall enact a missions are composed of military, police, civilian personnel from
law to give effect to the genocide convention countries member states. They support negotiations with the objective of restoring
must grant extradition in case of genocide and shall not peace.
consider genocide as a political crime,
Countries should not provide support and refuse to The UNSC can impose economic and political sanctions such as trade
people responsible to genocide. sanctions, travel bans against countries that threaten international
security and order. The UN provides humanitarian aid in affected areas
that help alleviate suffering, save lives, etc.
The UN promotes adherence to international law, treaties, and
conventions that secure international peace and security. The UN
promotes disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction.
Conclusion
The Rwandan Genocide stands as a tragic reminder of the
dangers of ethnic hatred and the consequences of
inaction. From its roots in colonialism and ethnic
divisions to the systematic slaughter that unfolded, the
genocide has left an indelible mark on history. While the
international community’s response was marked by
inaction, the lessons learned from this dark chapter can
help foster peace, understanding, and unity in the future.
Through justice, healing, and reconciliation initiatives,
Rwanda continues to rebuild and heal, with the hope of
never allowing such a tragedy to occur again.
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