Rwandan genocide

On April 6, 1994, the plane carrying Rwandan President Juvénal Habyarimana was shot down near Kigali, killing everyone on board, including Burundian President Cyprien Ntaryamira. This event is widely considered the catalyst for the Rwandan genocide, as it triggered a violent campaign by the Hutu-majority government against Tutsis and moderate Hutus, leading to the horrific genocide.

The Rwandan Genocide began on April 7, 1994, immediately following the assassination of President Habyarimana. Within hours, roadblocks were set up around Kigali, and the systematic massacre of Tutsis and moderate Hutus began. Over the next 100 days, approximately 800,000 people were killed in one of the most brutal genocides of the 20th century, characterized by horrific acts of violence and widespread atrocities.

On April 9, 1994, one of the first major massacres during the genocide took place at the Pallottine Missionary church in Gikondo, a neighborhood in Kigali. Approximately 110 people, mostly Tutsis, were killed by soldiers and militiamen, marking one of the earliest instances of mass killing during the genocide. This event highlighted the brutal nature and swift escalation of the genocidal violence.

On July 4, 1994, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), a Tutsi-led rebel group, captured Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. Its capture was a pivotal moment that effectively marked the end of the genocide. The RPF's advance forced the Rwandan government to flee, and allowed the RPF to establish a new government, halting the systematic killing and beginning the process of rebuilding and reconciliation in the devastated nation.

The Rwandan Genocide ended on July 18, 1994, after 100 days of violence and mass killing. The Rwandan Patriotic Front had taken control of most of the country by this time. An estimated 800,000 to 1 million Tutsis and moderate Hutus perished, leaving deep scars on Rwandan society. The end of the genocide marked the beginning of a long and difficult journey toward healing and recovery for the survivors and the nation as a whole.

On November 8, 1995, the United Nations Security Council established the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) to prosecute those responsible for the Rwandan genocide and other serious violations of international law in Rwanda between January 1 and December 31, 1994. The ICTR was a significant step in international justice efforts to hold those accountable for the atrocities committed during the genocide.

On January 12, 1998, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda delivered its first conviction. Jean-Paul Akayesu, a former mayor, was found guilty of nine counts of genocide and crimes against humanity, including acts of murder, torture, and rape. This conviction marked the first time an international tribunal had ruled that rape could constitute an act of genocide, setting a precedent for future international criminal law cases.

On March 10, 2005, Rwanda initiated the Gacaca court system to try the vast number of genocide-related cases. These community-based courts aimed to expedite the justice process and promote reconciliationby involving local communities. While criticized for some procedural flaws, Gacaca courts were instrumental in processing thousands of cases and significantly contributed to the healing and rebuilding process in Rwanda after the genocide.

On February 4, 2010, Rwanda's parliament adopted new legislation addressing genocide ideology. The law includes measures to prevent hate speech and the denial of genocide, aiming to educate the population and prevent future violence. The legislation reflects Rwanda's commitment to combating divisionism and promoting unity in the post-genocide nation, aligning with broader efforts to foster reconciliation and development.

June 18, 2012, marked the official closure of the Gacaca courts in Rwanda. Over a decade of operation, these community courts processed nearly 2 million cases related to the 1994 genocide, addressing crimes ranging from theft to murder. Despite criticisms regarding due process, the Gacaca courts played a crucial role in the reconciliation process, helping to bring about justice and healing in post-genocide Rwanda.