Historical Globalization & Rwanda

1.PRE-COLONIZATION2.COLONIZATION3.INDEPENDENCE4.GENOCIDE5.RWANDA POST-GENOCIDE

Overview

Pre-Colonization http://

vimeo.com/15176894

Pre-Colonization

There is a wide variety of views on the distinctions between cultural groups in Rwanda that existed prior to colonization: One view – prior to imperialism, the Hutu were

agricultural based, and the Tutsi had cattle

Second view – Hutu nation, and the Tutsi’s were outsiders

Third view – All the same people, same culture, no Hutu, Tutsi, or Twa. (This view is what is now taught in Rwandan schools)

Colonization

1897 German colonialists and missionaries arrived in Rwanda Tutsi were considered “superior” by Germans, as they

were seen as more “European” and had seemingly taller stature and were believed to be more “honourable and eloquent”.

The social structure in Rwanda was simplified, so that all high positions were given to the Tutsi, while the Hutu were oppressed and treated as an inferior ‘race’.

1923 Belgium took over control of Rwanda (following the defeat of Germany in WWI)

Colonization Belgian colonizers issued

Identity cards with classification

Classification was based on things like facial measurements, height, number of cattle, and position in society 10 cattle – Tutsi 9 cattle - Hutu

There was a large amount of corruption – some people were able to pay in order to have their identity cards changed

http://vimeo.com/15176894

Large numbers of Rwandans left during colonization.

The Belgians required forced labour (Tutsi were exempt).

There were massive crop failures for families as men were forced to work on ‘white plantations’.

Tutsi were required to do the Belgian’s “dirty work”, whipping Hutus who would not work, etc.

With the movement towards Rwandan independence – there was a shift, and the Belgians started to tell the Hutu that the Tutsi had been persecuting them.

IndependenceIndependence from Belgium was

granted on July 1st, 1962

Independence A process called

‘Dehumanization” begins under the extremist Hutu’s ruling Rwanda

Tutsi are called names including: “Cockroaches” “Foreign Invaders” “Bloodthirsty parasites” “Elite minority” “Ferreting”

Population: 85% Hutu 15% Tutsi

A series of elections organized led to a Hutu majority gaining power

This led to ongoing conflicts between Hutu and Tutsi

The Tutsi became a minority group with restricted rights

Organization of GovernmentIn 1973, Jevenal

Habyarimana took control of the country through a government coup

The country was run by a small group of political elite, and extreme Hutu nationalism was encouraged

Conflicts with the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF-Tutsi), occurred in the 1980’s, the Hutu regime was supported by France

Practice Genocides1990 onwards, “Dress

rehearsals” for the massacre occur

“Practice Killings” of anywhere from 30-100 Tutsis over 2-3 day periods

International community would ‘condemn’ the killings, but not act to stop them

Preparing for the Genocide

In the final stages before the start of the Genocide, preparation took place.

Lists were made in classrooms and churches

Increasingly ultranationalist propaganda

Arms (machetes) were stockpiled

Rwanda Genocide

April 6, 1994 - The plane carrying Rwanda’s President is shot down. To this day – no one knows who shot down the

President’s plane.

Within minutes of the plane crash, the Rwanda Genocide began

Genocide – the mass killing of human beings, especially a targeted

group of people

Eight Stages of Genocidehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU4mkZAbn8M

(outlined by Gregory Stanton from Genocide Watch)Stage One: Classification (during Colonization)Stage Two: Symbolization (during Colonization)Stage Three: Dehumanization (Upon independence)Stage Four: Organization (Under extremist Gov’t)Stage Five: Polarization (Practice Genocides)Stage Six: Identification (Preparation)Stage Seven: Extermination (The Genocide)Stage Eight: Denial (Today)

The church was bull dozed down, killing everyone seeking refuge in the building.

The idea was to ‘erase’ the Tutsi:

Destroy ID Cards

Destroy all records

Destroy person

Rape Guns Machetes Bull dozers Any weapons

available (rocks, shovels, etc)

The Tactics

July 4th

Celebrates the liberation of the city of Kigali by the RPF forces

Liberation day commemorates the end of the Genocide

Liberation Day

Blue stripe - happiness and peace. Yellow stripe - country's mineral wealth and economic development Green stripe - country's natural resources and prosperityThe sun - unity, transparency and enlightenment from ignorance.

The Cost

800,000 dead Rwanda gov’t uses 1.1

million Over 10% of the

population2 million refugees1 million displaced$2 billion in aid in

1994

Responses to the Legacy of Historical Globalization

Rwanda Post-Genocide

Justice & Reconciliation1994 International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda

Was created to try high ranking officials involved in Genocide & war crimes.

By 1996 – they had only tried 28 people.

(Ga-cha-cha)

literally means "justice on the grass”

a form of citizen-based justice

put into place in an attempt to deal with the crimes of the 1994 genocide.

Gacaca Court System

Process

Trial is a combination of testimony and question & answer with the prisoner to cover the exact details of their involvement

Trials are held in Kinyarwanda 7 judges chosen from the

community where the crime was committed

The Gacaca system has tried about 1.5 million cases so far

Everyone is able to share information First the detainee Then the witnesses who

provide verbal and written testimony

Then the floor is opened to anyone else who wishes to testify

Incredible detail and dedication to the process

Gacaca Court System

AVEGA Agahozo

Organization of 25,000 Rwandan women

Was founded by a genocide survivor – Esther Mujawayo – who lost her family to the genocide

They work to provide support for the widows, and orphans from the genocide.

- Medical Assistance- Economic Opportunities- Legal Assistance- Advocacy (Right to Inherit Land)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VU4mkZAbn8M

Social 10-1 – Complete handout using pages 188- 193