Wednesday, January 24, 2007

A New Cycle of Violence in Rwanda?

BBC reported on Monday that Rwandan authorities must address the killings of genocide survivors that have occurred in recent years for fear that a new cycle of violence may erupt within the country. The Rwandan genocide, which claimed the lives of an estimated 800,000 Tutsis, as well as moderate Hutus, lasted for a 100-day period in 1994. Since the end of the genocide, numerous witnesses who were to take part in the judicial process have been killed. The Human Rights Watch believes that if swift action is not taken against these events, violence could rear its ugly head again. Officials in Rwanda have given some numbers as to how many genocide survivors have been killed in recent years, 16 in 2005 and 7 in 2006, however, survivor groups within Rwanda estimate around 20 genocide survivor killings a year since the end of the conflict.
The killings of genocide survivors have also caused reprisal killings in Rwanda. The article notes that, "in one case, the killing of a genocide survivor sparked the reprisal killings of eight adults and children." While the HRW argues that reprisal killings have been rare in the past, they add to the potential of an increase in violence if they continue to occur. Additionally the HRW is concerned over the deaths of three individuals who were incarcerated for the murder of a gacaca judge. Although a new constitution was adopted in 2003 which prohibits any political activity or discrimination based on race, ethnicity or religion, and the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) have continued to promote unity among Rwandans, fear of a new cycle of violence has grabbed international attention.

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