Human rights and the plight of the victims of Rwanda genocide : A case study of the observance of the right to fair justice

Abstract

The research explored the observance of Human Rights and the victims of Rwanda genocide in Rwanda. The study set to establish: Rwanda genocide victims and right to fair justice, Rwanda genocide victims and a right to full life, Rwanda genocide victims and the right to compensation, and the protection measures for Rwanda genocide victims.

The researcher gathered primary data using interviews, questionnaires and secondary data was obtained through analyzing the available literature from books, reports and journals.

The study established that ratification of international instruments; formation of communal courts, and social support to victims was cited as one of the ways how Rwanda Government has helped genocide victims to attain right to fair justice.

The study concluded that those acts which are directly attributable to the International Community and the State include those perpetrated by its public servants and state agencies as well as private individuals who committed genocide. It is important to note that the current government of Rwanda and international community has taken political responsibility to address genocide ills.

It was recommended that the state should respond to breaches in the legal obligation to investigate, try and punish human rights violations, even when these were not committed directly by state agents or when the State may not have had initial knowledge of them.