What is the Tutsi genocide?

Historical and geographic context

In Rwanda (April–July 1994), extremist leaders directed a nationwide campaign to exterminate the Tutsi population (and to kill Hutu and others who opposed the genocide). UN sources estimate more than one million people were murdered in under three months; other UN materials reference about 800,000 killed. (United Nations)
Violence unfolded at terrifying speed—“100 bloody days”—with the participation of soldiers, gendarmes, politicians, Interahamwe militias, and ordinary citizens. unictr.irmct.org

International recognition

The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) secured landmark convictions for genocide, establishing the historical and legal record. unictr.irmct.org
ICTR jurisprudence (Akayesu) was the first to confirm that rape can constitute genocide when committed with genocidal intent. (United Nations)
The ICTR “Media Case” (Nahimana, Barayagwiza, Ngeze) confirmed direct and public incitement to commit genocide, including via radio and print propaganda. (internationalcrimesdatabase.org)

Eight core patterns of harm

Mass extermination. Systematic killings nationwide targeted Tutsi civilians and those protecting them. (unictr.irmct.org)
Widespread sexual violence. Rape and sexual torture were used to terrorize, destroy families, and transmit disease; ICTR recognized such acts as genocide when tied to genocidal intent. (United Nations)
Incitement through mass media. “Hate radio” (RTLM) and extremist publications urged civilians to kill, a basis for ICTR incitement convictions. (internationalcrimesdatabase.org)
Civilian mobilization & roadblocks. Local authorities and militias organized roadblocks and house-to-house attacks, enabling neighbor-on-neighbor violence. (unictr.irmct.org)
Targeting of moderates. Hutu and others who opposed the killings were murdered alongside Tutsi. (United Nations)
Mass displacement. The genocide triggered one of the region’s largest refugee crises, with millions displaced across borders. (UNHCR)
Mass graves & desecration. Bodies were dumped in rivers and mass graves; memorial work continues nationwide. (unictr.irmct.org)
International failure to protect. UN and Member States have acknowledged a faltering response that left civilians undefended. (United Nations)

Major crimes & features (at a glance)

A state-backed, propaganda-driven genocide carried out with extraordinary speed and civilian participation—combining mass murder, sexual violence, and incitement to eradicate the Tutsi community. ICTR rulings set global legal precedents on rape as genocide and incitement via media. (United Nations)

Quotes

“During the 100 bloody days that followed, unimaginable violence overtook the country…” unictr.irmct.org

“The judgment in Akayesu (1998) was the first ever to specify that rape may constitute genocide if committed with the requisite intent.” United Nations

“More than one million people… were systematically killed in less than three months.” United Nations

Reports & resources

IRMCT/ICTR – “The Genocide” (overview; perpetrators; 100 days). (unictr.irmct.org)
UN Outreach Programme (historical background; commemorations; figures). (United Nations)
ICTR “Media Case” (Nahimana et al.) case summary. (internationalcrimesdatabase.org)
Akayesu materials (UN booklet noting rape as genocide; judgment/appeal). (United Nations)
UNHCR materials on refugee flows. (UNHCR)