International Community's Response to the Rwandan Genocide: Warnings, Failures, and Apologies

What did international human rights groups report to the United Nations before the Rwandan genocide?

Numerous human rights violations, including jailing people for political views and killing members of opposition parties.

Who was Major General Roméo Dallaire?

The UN force commander in Rwanda who received warnings about the genocide.

What did the informant tell Dallaire three months before the genocide?

Hutu plans to kill every Tutsi in Rwanda.

What was the UN's response to Dallaire's request for additional troops?

The UN denied Dallaire's request.

What were some early warning signs of the genocide?

Training of militias, distribution of weapons, and hate propaganda.

How did the hate propaganda portray Tutsis?

As evil and manipulative, comparing them to cockroaches and snakes.

What was the estimated death toll within two weeks of the genocide's start?

100,000 people.

What did the UN Security Council decide to do as the killings escalated?

Remove its peacekeeping forces from Rwanda.

What is the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide?

An international agreement aimed at preventing genocide and obligating intervention.

Why was the international community hesitant to label the violence in Rwanda as genocide?

They were aware of the brutal attacks but chose not to intervene.

What did the militia do after the international community withdrew its troops?

Intensified the genocide, targeting resisters and officials.

What could have been done to stop the killings according to Amnesty International?

Blocking inciting radio broadcasts and deploying a small force of troops.

What did Kofi Annan say in his apology regarding the international community's failure?

He stated that the world must deeply repent for failing to act during Rwanda's tragedy.

What did President Clinton acknowledge about the international community's response to the genocide?

That they did not act quickly enough and allowed refugee camps to become safe havens for killers.

What was the death toll of Tutsis during the genocide?

Nearly one million innocent and unarmed people were killed.

What did the international community do after recognizing the extent of the genocide?

Conducted an investigation and acknowledged their failure to act.

What message did the international community fail to send during the Rwandan genocide?

That the violence was unacceptable and would not be tolerated.

What did the hate propaganda in Rwanda incite people to do?

Murder Tutsis, as indicated by the circulation of 'death lists'.

What was the reaction of the international community after the genocide ended?

A process of self-reflection and acknowledgment of their inaction.

Who wrote the poem 'First They Came for the Jews'?

Pastor Martin Niemöller.

What was the impact of the international community's withdrawal during the genocide?

It led to an escalation of violence and increased killings.

What was the role of media in the Rwandan genocide?

To broadcast racist ideas and incite violence against the Tutsi population.

What did the international community agree upon after the Holocaust?

To intervene if genocide occurred again.

What did the UN's investigation conclude about their role in the Rwandan genocide?

That they were guilty of failing to act when needed.

What was the significance of the 'death lists' circulated in Rwanda?

They identified Tutsis who were to be targeted for murder.

What did the international community fail to recognize during the genocide?

The signs that indicated a genocide was occurring.

What did Kofi Annan express about the ideals of the United Nations?

That they were not honored during the Rwandan genocide.