It is 20 years ago, a generation, and the details for most everyone who wasn't there are pretty sketchy. You remember Rwanda, but what do you remember? There was a genocide, something about Hutus and Tutsis. You remember that much, perhaps, if you are old enough. There was a wave of horrific violence, mass slaughter with guns. And machetes. People remember machetes.
I am not sure which of these things says more about humanity, and society -- that such a thing can happen, or that those who are alive afterward cope, grieve, seek justice, rebuild. I would like to think it is the latter. In the United States and Europe -- we know the story of Germany and its evolution and generational change since World War II.
Mostly, we do not know about the last 20 years in Rwanda.
In April, Lawdragon magazine editor-in-chief John Ryan went to Rwanda. This week, we have 10,000 words from him about his trip, long-form journalism at its best.
"Rwanda’s Long Road to Justice" is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the aftermath of genocide in the modern world. I don't mean the understanding one gets from a news bite about an international tribunal or a sentencing, or even interviews with those who were there, those who remember and maintain the graves and memorials.
I mean the understanding of how Rwandans have sought justice, and ways to ensure that such a thing will both not be forgotten and never happen again.
How are they doing, after just 20 years? I wanted to pull a quote here, something that would ... illustrate, enlighten, amplify ...
Something that would answer.
Sorry, can't do it. Full story, with photos:
Rwanda’s Long Road to Justice (blog format)
Rwanda’s Long Road to Justice (.PDF format)