Ultranationalism & Genocide

1994 RWANDA

Ultranationalism – extreme devotion to a nation and advocacy

of that nation, regardless other nations’ effects

Genocide - the wiping out

(extermination) of a particular group

WHAT IS IT?

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On December 9th, 1948 the United Nations Convention on the Prevention

and Punishment of Crime and Genocide was adopted, and established genocide as

an international crime in times of both war and peace. It’s definition is limited

by the perpetrator's “intent to destroy in whole or part” the characterization of the

victim group; and the acts committed.

CURRENT LAW AGAINST GENOCIDE

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Tutsi - 15% of the population - a member of a tall, slender, cattle-raising people of Rwanda

& Burundi(More “European” looking than Hutus)

RWANDA - WHO WAS INVOLVED?

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Hutu - 85% of the population - a member of a Bantu people living in

Rwanda & Burundi

The Hutus & Tutsis had already been fighting decades before the

Genocide…

After the Belgians colonized Rwanda, they put the Tutsi’s in

power&

In 1962 the Hutus took over the Monarch & the Tutsis became a

minority

ULTRANATIONALISM IN RWANDA

In April, 1972 Hutu police rebelled and killed anyone who refused to join – both Hutus and Tutsis (800 – 1200

killed)

The Tutsi President initiated a law that resulted in a mass killing of Hutus (100,000-300,000 killed)

1972

The Rwandan President and the Hutu President of Burundi were shot down from their plane on April

6, 1994.

The next day Prime Minister Agathe was

assassinated by the Rwandan armyThere was an announcement in the media –

Government initiated – that started the killing itself

WHAT TRIGGERED THE GENOCIDE

Over the next 100 days the Rwandan Army and

the Hutu Militia went on a killing rampage targeting the Tutsi

population

800,000 – 1 MILLION PEOPLE WERE KILLED

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Guns, Clubs & Machetes

People being torched/cooked

in vats of oil

Dismembering Genetalia &

Other Body Parts

HOW PEOPLE WERE KILLED/ TORTURED

People being skinned alive

Babies cut from the

womb, fried and served

Violent Raping of Women

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Everybody who was in Rwanda started to pull out, most claiming that:

“There was no domestic constituency nor compelling foreign policy interest to support

action.”

The UN intervened after approx. 500,000 people had already been killed

WHO RESPONED ?

9

In July 1994 the RPF invaded Rwanda in hopes of defeating the Hutu-led

government

(RPF is the Rwandan Patriotic Front – it is mostly made up of Tutsi refugees)

THE RPF

THE END OF THE GENOCIDE

The RPF succeeded and they took

control of Kigali and declared a ceasefire

Hutus fled to Zaire and other countries,

and many never returned

Trials didn’t start until two years

later

……………………………….

In 1999, over 120,000 citizens were packed into

crowded jails

1. Stop the genocide before it becomes a genocide

2. React quickly & firmly to signs of mass slaughter

3. Pay attention to the media - in cases of genocide, be prepared to stop broadcasts that incite

violence 

4. Be alert to the impact of negative examples nearby

5. Get accurate information about what is happening 

LESSONS LEARNED:

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6. Identify and support opponents of the genocide

7. Call it what it is; a genocide & oppose governments involved  

8. Impose an arms restriction on genocidal government

9. Press governments that support the genocidal government to change their policy

10. Be prepared to intervene with armed force

LESSONS LEARNED:

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http://www.suite101.com/content/1994-rwanda-genocide-destruction-of-a-people-a293953

http://www.rwanda-genocide.org/

http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/genocide/rwanda.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/1070329.stm

http://www.usafricaonline.com/rwanda.genocideyears.html

RESEARCH FROM:

http://history1900s.about.com/od/rwandangenocide/Rwanda_Genocide.htm

http://www.ppu.org.uk/genocide/g_rwanda.html

http://www.peaceworkmagazine.org/tale-two-genocides-failed-us-responses-rwanda-and-darfur

http://www.trumanwebdesign.com/~catalina/index.htm

http://www.uganda-visit-and-travel-guide.com/rwanda-genocide-background.html

RESEARCH FROM:

ENDCourtney Croteau – Cobb

Nakia LaFournaise – BoppreMelissa Jujihara - Hlede