1. Home
  2. East Africa
  3. Rwanda

African Rights details complicity of Protestant churches in genocide

African Rights has called on Protestant churches to “seek new ways” to contribute to the process of justice and reconciliation in Rwanda in the light of evidence that some church leaders were implicated in the 1994 genocide. In a report released today (Wednesday), the human rights group said that like the Catholic church - to which the majority of Rwandans belong - the Protestant hierarchy failed in its response to the genocide and its aftermath. The report, ‘Rwanda: The Protestant Churches and the Genocide’, argues that: “As long as the Churches continue to harbour men and women accused of heinous crimes, they cannot offer the kind of moral leadership” the country needs. Meanwhile, the French parliamentary committee investigating France’s role in the genocide has said it will publish its findings on the Internet by the middle of December. The committee was responding to allegations by human rights groups that it aimed to suppress damaging information about French conduct, PANA reported.

This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

Share this article

Hundreds of thousands of readers trust The New Humanitarian each month for quality journalism that contributes to more effective, accountable, and inclusive ways to improve the lives of people affected by crises.

Our award-winning stories inform policymakers and humanitarians, demand accountability and transparency from those meant to help people in need, and provide a platform for conversation and discussion with and among affected and marginalised people.

We’re able to continue doing this thanks to the support of our donors and readers like you who believe in the power of independent journalism. These contributions help keep our journalism free and accessible to all.

Show your support as we build the future of news media by becoming a member of The New Humanitarian. 

Become a member of The New Humanitarian

Support our journalism and become more involved in our community. Help us deliver informative, accessible, independent journalism that you can trust and provides accountability to the millions of people affected by crises worldwide.

Join