Genocide, Justice, and Rwanda's Gacaca Courts. (August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nyseth Brehm, Hollie; Uggen, Christopher; Gasanabo, Jean-Damascène
• Other Names: King Ryan D. guest-editor.; Messner Steven F. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of contemporary criminal justice. Volume 30:Number 3(2014:Aug.)
• Page Start: 333
• Page End: 352
• Publication Date: 2014-08
• Subjects: genocide -- restorative justice -- Rwanda -- punishment -- courts; Criminal justice, Administration of -- Periodicals; Criminal justice, Administration of -- United States -- Periodicals; 364.973
• DOI: 10.1177/1043986214536660
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-9862

Abstract

More than one million people participated in the 1994 genocide against the Rwandan Tutsi. How did Rwanda, whose criminal justice infrastructure was decimated by the genocide, attempt to bring the perpetrators to justice? In this article, we provide the first analysis of the outcomes of the gacaca courts, a traditional community-based justice system that was greatly modified to address crimes of genocide. After briefly reviewing the creation of the National Service of Gacaca Jurisdictions, we explain the court process. Then, we present an overview of the outcomes of the courts with a focus on the specific sanctions given to those found guilty. This article provides the first systematic analysis of these sanctions, contributing both an empirical overview and new insights into how Rwanda attempted to bring justice to the many citizens who took part in the genocidal violence. We conclude by briefly highlighting some successes and failures of the gacaca system and its broader lessons for justice in other contexts.