Rwanda: 15 Years After Genocide
April 7th marks the 15th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, one hundred days of violence in 1994 that resulted in the deaths of nearly one million children, women and men. While the genocide has ended, Rwanda continues to live with its legacy. The following articles and podcasts examine different ways that people in Rwanda engage in the process of justice and healing:
The article, "How do you teach the unspeakable in Rwanda?" explores how education presents challenges and opportunities as Rwanda rebuilds itself. Karen Murphy, a senior program associate at Facing History and Ourselves, explains, "There is a lot of shame and humiliation when it comes to teaching about the genocide." Another challenge educators confront is what to do when students enter the classrooms with different versions of what took place in 1994. According to Murphy, "Sometimes young people are better able to make connections through the distance of another case study than by shining a bright light on their own history. Then they recognize it's not just a Rwandan problem." Facing History's materials on the Holocaust, the U.S. civil rights movement and the Cambodian genocide have been used to help Rwandan students and teachers talk about their own painful history as one step in the healing process.
The article, "April launch of Genocide Prevention Month marks Rwanda 15th anniversary," addresses the issue of memory as survivors gather to recount their experiences. This article is supplemented by a podcast interview with Rwandan genocide survivor, Eugenie Mukeshimana. She explains:
People have to keep in mind that just because the genocide was over in Rwanda doesn't mean the lives of people-you know, the problems-have been solved. It takes time. Some of the trauma from the genocide, some of the medical and physical needs, will manifest themselves after quite some time. There is a lot of work that still needs to be done. Survivors are still living under conditions that are not up to appropriate. There are many needs that are not yet met. And, of course, there's the reality that the genocide ideology is not gone, even 15 years later. And we are also facing another issue, that people are starting denying that this genocide actually took place.
The article "Rwandan genocide: Fifteen years ago," explores efforts in Rwanda to address some of these issues. It focuses on an interview with Rakiya Omaar, the head of the group African Rights. She describes the successes and challenges of achieving justice after such horrible crimes have been committed. The interview can also be downloaded as a podcast.
For background information on Rwanda and the genocide, and for updated news stories, refer to the NY Times topic page on Rwanda.
- What role can education play in helping societies heal after conflicts? What do you think of Murphy's argument that studying someone else's history can provide an opportunity to better understand your own history?
- What does justice look like after genocide or other acts of violence? What should be the goal of a justice system? To punish perpetrators? Expose the truth? Obtain reparations?
- Some survivors mention the problem "that people are starting denying that this genocide actually took place." Why do you think they are concerned about genocide denial? What are the implications if what happened in 1994 is not remembered as a genocide? What can be done to ensure that the history of the Rwandan genocide is preserved accurately?
