Understanding the Enforcement of International Law Regarding the Genocide in Rwanda

Abstract

The genocide in Rwanda in 1994 was one of the most brutal crimes against humanity in modern history, resulting in the deaths of more than 800,000 people over a period of approximately one hundred days. This article aims to understand the genocide through an international law approach by examining relevant legal instruments such as the 1948 Genocide Convention, the 1998 Rome Statute, and the case law of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR). A normative and legal approach is employed to assess the international community's response to this crime and the extent to which the principles of international criminal law were upheld in the judicial proceedings against the perpetrators. The research findings reveal that whilst the ICTR has made a significant contribution to the development of international criminal law, various political and technical constraints continue to limit its effectiveness. This study emphasises the importance of strengthening international legal mechanisms to prevent and address future genocides, as well as the need for a global commitment to the principles of justice and humanity.