The Lid is On — UN Radio PodcastHow rape became an act of genocide.
Tribunal Archives
Judicial Archives of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR)
Conditions
Which Led to
Genocide
Dr. Alison Des Forges
Dr. Alison Des Forges was an academic historian specializing in African history. She dedicated her life to working on Rwanda, and was a leading expert on the 1994 Rwanda genocide and its aftermath. She was a senior adviser to Human Rights Watch's Africa division for almost two decades. She published numerous scholarly papers and reports in the field of Rwandan history and the conflicts in Africa’s Great Lakes region.
Testimony
Dr. Des Forges testified in ten cases before the ICTR, spending a total of over one hundred days on the stand. Her eloquent testimony provides valuable insight into the causes of the Rwandan genocide of 1994.
A clear and comprehensive source of information about the conditions which led to the genocide in Rwanda.
11 February 1997
Testimony
12 February 1997
Testimony
13 February 1997
Testimony
18 February 1997
Testimony
Indictment Against Jean Paul Akayesu
Rape and Sexual Violence as Crimes Against Humanity
Indictment
The indictment against Jean Paul Akayesu, bourgmestre (mayor) of the Taba commune, was amended to include rape and sexual violence as crimes against humanity.
02 October 1998
By finding that rape can constitute genocide, the ICTR's Trial Chamber set an important precedent in international criminal law. Judge Navanethem Pillay made the following statement after the delivery of the judgement
From time immemorial, rape has been regarded as spoils of war. Now it will be considered a war crime. We want to send out a strong message that rape is no longer a trophy of war.
Major-General Roméo Dallaire's Testimony
Major-General Roméo Dallaire was the Force Commander for the UNAMIR (the UN Assistance Mission in Rwanda) in 1994. His testimony in the Akayesu case describes the challenges faced by the mission in its attempts to fulfil its mandate of implementing the Arusha peace accords and maintaining peace in Rwanda.
25 February 1998
Testimony
Witness Testimonies
The courageous testimonies of witnesses provided the evidence required for the ICTR's Trial Chamber to find Akayesu guilty of rape.
Please Note: this is HIGHLY DISTURBING AUDIO MATERIAL
27 January 1997
Testimonies
23 October 1997
Testimonies
24 October 1997
Testimonies
27 October 1997
Testimonies
31 October 1997
Testimonies
03 November 1997
Testimonies
04 November 1997
Testimonies
Appearance and Judgment of Jean Kambanda
Appearance and Plea of André Rwamakuba
André Rwamakuba was the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education in Rwanda during the genocide. In the judgement delivered on 20 September 2006, he was acquitted of all charges.
08 April 1999
UN Radio Programmes
- Message of hope from young Rwandan "to the leaders"
- Podcast: The power of bearing witness - how rape became an act of genocide
- The power of bearing witness – how rape became an 'act of genocide' — mp3
- UN chief pays tribute to people of Rwanda on 20th anniversary of genocide — mp3
- Rwandans prepare to mark 20th anniversary of genocide — mp3
- Rwanda genocide survivor urges "unity and love" — mp3
- Rwanda genocide remembered 20 years on — mp3
- UN "working hard to draw on lessons" of failures to prevent genocide — mp3
- Rwandan genocide survivors still need "strong" support from international community — mp3
- Rwandan widows rebuild from the ashes of genocide — mp3
- Remembering and forgiving: two stories of reconciliation in Rwanda — mp3
- Rwandan filmmaker Gilbert Ndahayo uses film to keep the memory of the Genocide alive and heal his own hurt — mp3
- An exhibit at UN Headquarters detailed the events leading up to the Rwandan Genocide — mp3
- Rwandan Genocide is a reminder of the "Responsibility to Protect" — mp3
- Rwandan Genocide survivor, Immaculee Ilibagiza, describes her ordeal — mp3