October 19, 2025Open Access

Justice Post‐Tutsi Genocide in Rwanda: When “Community Service” Fails to Repair the Damage Suffered by Survivors and the Torn Social Fabric

Key Points

Community service initiatives have not effectively repaired the harm done to survivors of the genocide, failing to rebuild social trust.
Evidence shows that the gacaca courts, designed for local community justice, have not met the needs of many survivors since their inception.
The commentary critically analyzes post-genocide justice mechanisms, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for genuine reparations and healing.
This examination highlights the societal challenges that persist 30 years after the genocide, underscoring the need for systemic change.

Abstract

World AffairsVolume 188, Issue 4 e270035 COMMENTARY Justice Post-Tutsi Genocide in Rwanda: When "Community Service" Fails to Repair the Damage Suffered by Survivors and the Torn Social Fabric Philibert Muzima, Corresponding Author Philibert Muzima email protected email protected orcid. org/0009-0001-0791-2964 Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Correspondence: Philibert Muzima (email protected; email protected) Search for more papers by this author Philibert Muzima, Corresponding Author Philibert Muzima email protected email protected orcid. org/0009-0001-0791-2964 Saint Paul University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Correspondence: Philibert Muzima (email protected; email protected) Search for more papers by this author First published: 17 October 2025 https: //doi. org/10. 1002/waf2. 70035Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article. I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more. Copy URL Share a linkShare onEmailFacebookxLinkedInRedditWechatBluesky References Fondation Hirondelle. (n. d. ). http: //www. hirondellenews. com/fr/tpirrwanda/172-politiquesociete/34766-300714-rwandagenocide-genocide--30-000-condamnes-aux-travaux-dinteret-general-ont-disparu-dans-la-nature. Google Scholar Gasake, A. 2014. Twenty Years Later, a New Momentum to Provide Reparation for Genocide Victims in Rwanda. Redress Pan-African Reparation Initiative. Google Scholar Human Rights Watch. 2011. "Justice Compromised: The Legacy of Rwanda's Community-Based Gacaca Courts. " Human Rights Watch. https: //www. hrw. org/report/2011/05/31/justice-compromised/legacy-rwandas-community-based-gacaca-courts. Google Scholar Melvern, L. 2004. Conspiracy to Murder: The Rwandan Genocide. Verso. Google Scholar Melvern, L. 2024. A People Betrayed: The Role of the West in Rwanda's Genocide. Bloomsbury. 10. 5040/9781350409675 Google Scholar Musabyimana, G. 2009. "Travaux d'intérêt général: le Rwanda pratique un système d'apartheid. Septembre. Le Rwanda pratique un système d'apartheid | Actualité/informations et documentation socio-politiques sur le Rwanda. " musabyimana. net. Google Scholar Ngari, A. 2020. "Pour les victimes, les réparations importent autant que le procès de Kabuga. " Institut d'études de sécurit-é, June 1. Pour les victimes, les réparations importent autant que le procès de Kabuga. ISS Africa. Google Scholar Penal Reform International. 2007. "Monitoring and Research Report on the Gacaca: Community Service (TIG) Areas of Reflection. " Penal Reform International. https: //cdn. penalreform. org/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/rep-ga9-2007-community-service-en₀. pdf. Google Scholar Penal Reform International. 2010. "Eight Years On…: A Record of Gacaca Monitoring in Rwanda. " https: //www. penalreform. org/resource/years-ona-record-gacaca-monitoring-rwanda/. Google Scholar Rugiririza, E. 2007. Rwanda/Justice - Les Travaux d'Intérêt Général avant la prison ferme. Fondation Hirondelle. Google Scholar Rwanda Correctional Service (RCS). 2024: "Over Rwf40 Billion Saved Through TIG – Rwanda Correctional Service. " rcs. gov. rw. Google Scholar Sampson, X. 2024. "30 ans plus tard, quelle justice pour les victimes du génocide au Rwanda? " Radio Canada, April 7. sur 30 ans plus tard, quelle justice pour les victimes du génocide au Rwanda? | Radio-Canada. Google Scholar The New Humanitarian. 2006. Rwanda: Des milliers de génocidaires condamnés à des peines de travaux d'intérêt général. IRIN. Google Scholar The New Humanitarian. 2010. "Justice in Action: A Gacaca Court Near Kigali. " Google Scholar Thomson, S. 2011. "Whispering Truth to Power: The Everyday Resistance of Rwandan Peasants to Post-Genocide Reconciliation. " African Affairs 110, no. 440: 439–456. 10. 1093/afraf/adr021 Web of Science® Google Scholar Zoppetti, A. 2001. "Éclairage. Au Rwanda, retour à la justice coutumière de la «gacaca». " Le Temps. Google Scholar Volume188, Issue4Winter 2025e270035 ReferencesRelatedInformation

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