Always Rwanda

This started as my on-line journal while I was living, working, and conducting my master's field research in Rwanda in 2003. I returnedto Rwanda as an Assistant Director for an educational program and decided to pick it up again.

Friday, November 14, 2003

Paul-
Are you talking about the re-start up of gacaca trials (the "traditional" system that was resurrected to deal with the genocide)?

People are not putting all their faith into gacaca, but at the same time, there really isn't another alternative. There are still over 100,000 people in jail who are suspected of genocide. They have been there for nearly 10 years, most without a file and many who are actually innocent. Mind you these prisons are at least 10 times their capacity and the most abominable conditions you can imagine. There was a big prisoner release earlier this year that was met with mixed reviews - survivors groups were outraged, communities had to figure out how to accept these people back into their communities, and many think that many more should have been released. But there is no doubt that the planners and leaders of the genocide should be brought to trial and justice rendered.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home