The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda

This genocide represents one of the fastest and most atrocious cases of genocide in modern history. From early April until July of 1994, members of the Hutu ethnic group systematically slaughtered approximately 1,000,000 Tutsi, politically moderate or sympathizing Hutus, and Twa peoplewith whom they had previously co-existed and shared cultural practices. The history of the Genocide dates back to the 1960s, when the postcolonial government instituted anti-Tutsi discriminatory practices, resulting in a deep seated hatred and periodic violence towards Tutsis. This violence peaked in 1994 when the Hutu leadership, fearing a loss of power in the face of a pro-democracy movement, organized and instigated the Genocide through a calculated dissemination of extremist rhetoric and threats of violence through state-controlled and independent media. The Genocide ended when the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) captured Kigali in July 1994 and defeated the Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR).