Throughout Rwandan history, there have been conflict between the Hutu and the Tutsi. In 1933 the Belgium issue ID’s to the Hutu, Tutsi and Twa as a census. This forced them into racial categories which intensified the racial divide between the Hutu and Tutsi. The Rwandan Genocide occurred in 1994. During this time the ethnic majority, the Hutu, slaughtered the ethnic minority, the Tutsi. Up to one million people died during the 100 day genocide. There were years of discrimination of the Tutsi, and the Hutu’s feared losing power. This paved the way to genocide (Walker, L.).
After the Rwandan Genocide the population was in shock, and the infrastructure was destroyed (UN News Center). For the following years, Rwanda detained around 120,000 people, …show more content…
Both the TRC and Gacaca Court formed after human rights violations occurred. The TRC is similar to a court body and it investigated human rights violations and abuses, just like the Gacaca Courts. Both also listened to the testimonies of the victims of human rights violations. The goal of the TRC and Gacaca Courts were a way to promote reconciliation between the victims and those accused of crimes. They both help the victims learn what happened to their families. They also gave those who were accused a chance to confess their crimes and ask for …show more content…
The Gacaca court system has some success and fulfilled some of the purposes of the enabled system. First, the Gacaca court system has encouraged public witnesses to state what they had seen or endured during the genocide. Grievances and resentments towards the Hutu’s and Tutsi’s have been brought out of the dark during the Gacaca Courts. The Gacaca Courts also promoted truth and discussion between the victims and perpetrators of genocide. Many individuals were also able to gain the truth about their loved ones’ deaths. In addition, people accused of these crimes have received forgiveness as well as fulfilled their punishment, or the community service often required of them.
According to Christopher Le Mon, there are many criticisms of the Gacaca Courts. One criticism is that the Gacaca Court Judges were corrupted. “Public statements by the administrative head of the Gacaca courts confirm that the Rwandan government itself recognizes the seriousness of the bribery issue” (Le Mon, C.). However, besides the corruption and bribery, Le Mon states that many witnesses and Gacaca Court officials, had been threatened or killed if they spoke
After the Rwandan Genocide the population was in shock, and the infrastructure was destroyed (UN News Center). For the following years, Rwanda detained around 120,000 people, …show more content…
Both the TRC and Gacaca Court formed after human rights violations occurred. The TRC is similar to a court body and it investigated human rights violations and abuses, just like the Gacaca Courts. Both also listened to the testimonies of the victims of human rights violations. The goal of the TRC and Gacaca Courts were a way to promote reconciliation between the victims and those accused of crimes. They both help the victims learn what happened to their families. They also gave those who were accused a chance to confess their crimes and ask for …show more content…
The Gacaca court system has some success and fulfilled some of the purposes of the enabled system. First, the Gacaca court system has encouraged public witnesses to state what they had seen or endured during the genocide. Grievances and resentments towards the Hutu’s and Tutsi’s have been brought out of the dark during the Gacaca Courts. The Gacaca Courts also promoted truth and discussion between the victims and perpetrators of genocide. Many individuals were also able to gain the truth about their loved ones’ deaths. In addition, people accused of these crimes have received forgiveness as well as fulfilled their punishment, or the community service often required of them.
According to Christopher Le Mon, there are many criticisms of the Gacaca Courts. One criticism is that the Gacaca Court Judges were corrupted. “Public statements by the administrative head of the Gacaca courts confirm that the Rwandan government itself recognizes the seriousness of the bribery issue” (Le Mon, C.). However, besides the corruption and bribery, Le Mon states that many witnesses and Gacaca Court officials, had been threatened or killed if they spoke