(article) – The historical importance of a trial: rape as a war crime during the Rwandan genocide
As part of the trial of two suspected Rwandan genocidaires in Belgium, the final arguments of the civil parties highlighted the importance of rape as a war crime during the 1994 genocide. Lawyer Michèle Hirsch, representing the victims, underlined that the rapes were carried out as a veritable genocidal weapon, thus contributing to ethnic cleansing.
This case, which was described as a “first” in a universal jurisdiction trial on the genocide of the Tutsis, highlights the specific role of rape in the Rwandan conflict. Tutsi women were demonized, humiliated and destroyed in their womb, with the aim of destroying their community and spreading the racist propaganda of the time.
The inclusion of rape as a war crime in this trial is of historical significance, as it highlights the particular brutality suffered by Tutsi women during this dark period in history. Several rape victims testified in court, some behind closed doors, while others testified in open court. These testimonies provided real insight into how rape was used to commit ethnic cleansing.
The accused’s lawyers dispute these accusations and question the credibility of the witnesses as well as the fairness of the proceedings. However, the symbolic importance of this trial cannot be ignored, as it serves to shine a light on the war crimes committed during the Rwandan genocide and bring justice to victims who suffered horrific sexual violence.
This trial in Belgium also recalls the importance of universal jurisdiction, which allows a country to try serious crimes, such as war crimes and crimes against humanity, even if they were committed abroad . This underlines Belgium’s commitment to prosecuting the perpetrators of serious crimes, wherever they may be.
In conclusion, this trial highlights the importance of rape as a war crime during the Rwandan genocide. It provides an opportunity to bring justice to the victims and convict those responsible for these horrific acts. It also recalls the importance of universal jurisdiction in the fight against impunity for crimes against humanity.