RWANDA GENOCIDE

(1994)

The Eight Stages of Genocide

Background Information

ULTRANATIONALISM - extreme devotion to or advocacy of the interests of a nation, especially regardless of the effect on any other nations. Ultranationalists are often fanatically loyal to their own country, and hostile and racist towards other nations.

GENOCIDE - the deliberate and systematic extermination of a national, racial, political, or cultural group.

WAR CRIMES - wilful killing, torture or inhuman treatment; wilfully causing great suffering; and intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population or against those who are involved in a humanitarian or peacekeeping mission. Examples: Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombs

CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY - The widespread or systematic attacks against a civilian population - murder, enslavement, torture, slavery, and imprisonment. Examples: The Ukraine Famine

Classification: The Tutsi & Hutu Bipolar society Rwanda is home to 2 ethnic groups:

Hutus (the majority) and Tutsis (had political power because they were favoured by the Belgians)

Ethnic tension in Rwanda is nothing new. There have been always been disagreements between the majority Hutus and minority Tutsis

The killing of Hutu President Juvenal Habyarimana initiated the killing. Tutsis extremist were blamed

Symbolism & Dehumanization

Rwandan Hutu hate radio referred to Tutsis as “cockroaches’

Kangura Newspaper, Rwanda: “The Solution for Tutsi Cockroaches”

Polarization & Dehumanization

Hutu ultranationalists used radio to wage a propaganda campaign against the Tutsis.

The first to be killed in a genocide are moderates from the killing group who oppose the extremists.

Organization

Preparation

Extermination The Rwanda Genocide was the results

of revenge killings between the Hutus and the Tutsis.

Victims’ bodies were mutilated, buried in mass graves, or burnt.

Rwandan militia killing squads

Denial

Summary These events occurred because ultranationalist

policies took control of the country so that they could protect and ensure the success of their nations security and interests. These policies are designed to be in the interest of one nation, and thus, are generally not in the interest of another nation, which is why it causes such crimes against humanity.

On a scale of 1 - 5 we rate the ultranationalist influence in this genocide as...