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Full-Text Articles in Social and Behavioral Sciences
Retributive Justice: The Gacaca Process In Rwanda, Sandra F. Joireman, Allison Corey
Retributive Justice: The Gacaca Process In Rwanda, Sandra F. Joireman, Allison Corey
Political Science Faculty Publications
After decades of cycling violence between Hutu and Tutsi groups in Rwanda and Burundi, violence peaked in 1994 with a genocide of Tutsis in Rwanda, during which the Hutu majority slaughtered 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutus, leaving the country with 120,000 accused génocidaires awaiting trial. Rwanda's gacaca courts were established as a response to the backlog of untried genocide cases. These courts disturbingly distinguish between genocide and war crimes committed during the same era, trying only those accused of genocide. This article argues that the gacaca process will contribute to the insecurity of all Rwandan citizens in the future, since …
Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind? : American Citizens And The Genocide In Rwanda, Colette T. Connor
Out Of Sight, Out Of Mind? : American Citizens And The Genocide In Rwanda, Colette T. Connor
Honors Theses
As citizens of the most powerful country in today's global world, Americans can no longer make the excuse, "out of sight, out of mind." Ten years ago Americans betrayed Rwandans. Their betrayal was mild yet widespread, but had repercussions of tremendous human cost. Each individual American most likely did not feel responsible for the genocide, but the collective outcome of their bystander behavior contributed to the world's inaction. This sad truth can serve as an inspiration: this does not have to happen next time, as American citizens have the agency to influence U.S. foreign policy decisions.