This topic is adapted from the NowThis World YouTube channel.

Two decades ago, one of the worst genocides in history happened in Rwanda. Despite its dark past, Rwanda has become a thriving nation. But some human rights groups are still concerned about what the Rwandan government is doing to it’s people.

Past Genocide

For one hundred days in 1994, a minority group known as the Tutsis were systematically slaughtered in Rwanda. Over one million people were killed and over two million people displaced from their homes during this genocide. Rwanda has spent the past two decades recovering.

Rwanda Today

Despite the government’s attempt to encourage family planning and contraceptive use, Rwanda’s population has grown to a dense eleven million people. It is agriculturally self-sufficient and economically thriving. The malnourishment rate for children under five years old is an acceptable 3.6% and life expectancy is up to sixty-four years. The government encourages community service, and in some cities, bans plastic bags, walking barefoot, and sharing drinks.

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Human Rights Concerns

In an attempt to clean up the streets, The Human Rights Watch has accused the Rwandan government of rounding up homeless adults and children and taking them to prison to be tortured and starved to death. President Paul Kagame has also been accused of “using anti-genocide laws to silence opposition.” For example, the press has little freedom and censorship is often imposed.

Rwanda has come a long way from it’s dark history. Over the last two decades, it has improved substantially both economically and socially. Despite becoming a thriving country, according to some human rights groups, it still seems to struggle in some of the same ways as other authoritarian countries.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
  2. What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
  3. What do you know about Rwanda’s genocide? Name other genocides besides the one in Rwanda. How have other countries recovered from previous genocides?
  4. Do you think some of Rwanda’s ideas about how to clean up their country are good ideas or bad ideas? Would you like to see some of the same things happen in your country? Why or why not?
  5. What is so important about freedom of the press? Why is censorship bad? Or is it bad? Explain.
  6. Could you see another genocide or a rebel coup happening in Rwanda? Where do you think another genocide could take place in the world?
  7. Write a personal action step based on this conversation.