Presents a gripping account of the Rwandan genocide, one of the most appalling events of the twentieth century. This indictment of almost all the key figures and institutions involved amounts to a catalogue of failures that only serves to sharpen the horror of a tragedy that could have been avoided.
For five years, Linda Melvern has worked on the story of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. In this book, she demonstrates how the great powers ignored signs of the coming catastrophe, refused to recognize the genocide when it began, and ignored obligations under the international genocide convention.
A shocking exposé of genocide denialIt is twenty-five years since the 1994 genocide of the Tutsi of Rwanda when in the course of three terrible months more than 1 million people were murdered. In the intervening years a pernicious campaign has been waged by the perpetrators to deny this crime, with attempts to falsify history and blame the victims for their fate. Facts are reversed, fake news promulgated, and phoney science given credence.Intent to Deceive tells the story of this campaign of genocide denial from its origins with those who planned the massacres. With unprecedented access to government archives including in Rwanda Linda Melvern explains how, from the moment the killers seized the power of the state, they determined to distort reality of events. Disinformation was an integral part of their genocidal conspiracy. The génocidaires and their supporters continue to peddle falsehoods. These masters of deceit have found new and receptive audiences, have fooled gullible journalists and unwary academics. With their seemingly sound research methods, the Rwandan génocidaires continue to pose a threat, especially to those who might not be aware of the true nature of their crime.The book is a testament to the survivors who still live the horrors of the past. Denial causes them the gravest offence and ensures that the crime continues. This is a call for justice that remains perpetually delayed.
Der größte Völkermord seit dem Holocaust spielte sich in Ruanda ab. In der ehemaligen deutschen Kolonie wurden im Frühjahr 1994 innerhalb von nur 13 Wochen bis zu einer Million Menschen in einer detailliert geplanten Aktion umgebracht. Hätten die Vereinten Nationen und ihre Vertreter sich nicht zu Komplizen der Mörder gemacht, wäre eines der schrecklichsten Verbrechen des 20. Jahrhunderts möglicherweise zu verhindern gewesen.