This volume is about the failure to prevent genocide in Rwanda in 1994. In particular, the research focuses on why the early warnings of an emerging genocide were not translated into early preventative action. The warnings were well documented by the most authoritative source, the Canadian U.N. peace-keeping commander General Romeo Dallaire and sent to the leading political civil servants in New York. The communications and the decisionmaking are scrutinized, i.e., who received what messages at what time, to whom the messages were forwarded and which (non-) decisions were taken in response to the alarming reports of weapon deliveries and atrocities. This book makes clear that this genocide could have been prevented. Published under the Transnational Publishers imprint.

Features "The Failure of the International Community to Prevent Genocide in Rwanda," an excerpt from "Aiding Violence: The Development Enterprise in Rwanda," a book written by Peter Uvin, originally published in West Hartford by Kumarian Press in 1998 and presented online by the Global Policy Forum.

Events in Rwanda in 1994 mark a landmark in the history of modern genocide. Up to one million people were killed in a planned public and political campaign. In the face of indisputable evidence, the Security Council of the United Nations failed to respond. In this classic of investigative journalism, Linda Melvern tells the compelling story of what happened. She holds governments to account, showing how individuals could have prevented what was happening and didn't do so. The book also reveals the unrecognised heroism of those who stayed on during the genocide, volunteer peacekeepers and those who ran emergency medical care. Fifteen years on, this new edition examines the ongoing impact of the 1948 Genocide Convention and the shock waves Rwanda caused around the world. Based on fresh interviews with key players and newly-released documents, A People Betrayed is a shocking indictment of the way Rwanda is and was forgotten and how today it is remembered in the West.

Essay from the year 2013 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Topic: Peace and Conflict Studies, Security, grade: 1,0, University of Richmond, language: English, abstract: Only several weeks ago former U.S. president Bill Clinton admitted again in an interview with CNBC that swift action taken by the U.S. after the start of the genocide in Rwanda "could have saved at least a third of the lives that were lost" (2013, cnbc.com). Already years earlier president Clinton characterized the inaction of the U.S. during the 100 day period where over 800,000 people were slaughtered in Rwanda as the "biggest regret" of his presidency (2005, washingtonpost.com). This raises the question why the U.S., as well as other nations, did not act during the Rwandan genocide. This paper argues that the lack of action displayed during the Rwandan and Bosnian genocide is not merely due to a lack of political will, but rather due to the collision of economic, political, social and legal interests of the state. Firstly, this paper will look at the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and argue that while it lacks some specificity it is adequate to identify genocide. Secondly this paper will look at the reasons why the U.S. talked more about legal formalities than actually about ending occurring genocides. It will particularly analyze the influence of realpolitik, economic interests and public perception in the decision making process whether the U.S. should intervene or not. Thirdly this paper will argue that additionally to national interests the international interest in stopping genocides lacks a clear coordination and focus so to pressure the largest nations to meet their moral and legal responsibility, but is continuing to change. This argument shall be supported by the apparent attempt of the U.S. government to introduce a change in the public approach toward crimes against humanity.

Explores the role of the media in the Rwandan genocide -- within the country and beyond.

Uses unique field data to offer a rigorous explanation of how Rwanda's genocide occurred and why Rwandans participated in it.