Global Affairs

The Ambassador to the UK has urged the council to expand Chapter 7, exclusive to Article 41, to authorize the UN to freeze foreign bank accounts and jam RTLM, without expanding to include authorization for increased military action under 42.

The Ambassador to Czech Republic has said that the declaration of genocide gives the UN the moral authority and legal responsibility to act. Ambassadors Arias supported this claim to expand UNAMIR to Chapter VII.

The Ambassador to the US has stated that the US does not support changing UNAMIR to Chapter 7, as it "would have the potential for international action." The US has also claimed it does not support UNAMIR-led action on the RTLM radio station.

The Ambassador to France has stated they will vote to invoke Chapter 7 if it is limited to Article 41. This would allow for UNSC member states to invoke economic sanctions and jam the RTLM, but would not mandate the use of armed forces.

May 30: UNSC Session 4 set to discuss the UN working with Zaire and Tanzania for the allocation and distribution of humanitarian aid, Expanding UNAMIR’s mandate to CH VII, Freezes foreign assets of Hutu-government under CH VII, and Release a Statement Officially Condemning the RTLM at Hate-Inciting

BREAKING NEWS: Sources on the ground indicate that small numbers of UNAMIR personnel have been killed by Hutu extremists, who have not chosen to publicize their murders.

The Rwandan interim government stated further casualties were likely as long as UNAMIR continued to interfere. The death of the Nigerian captain and the government's statement prove that UNAMIR's minimal forces are ineffective and incite further deaths. Proving increased forces are the only answer.

BREAKING NEWS: A Nigerian captain was killed a few days ago by Interahamwe members at a checkpoint staffed by Hutu milita while trying to rescue Tutsis.

General Dellaire described the death as tragic, calling the captain a hero, and emphasizing the need to reinforce UNAMIR to stop the bloodshed.

US Ambassador Albright stated that the UN can not jam the RTLM, as it would set the precedent for future repression of news organizations by international human rights organizations like HRW

With the declaration of the crisis in Rwanda a genocide, the UN has an obligation to act. The international community cannot say that we are in the middle of mass killings and then do nothing to stop it.

Ambassador Albright continues to block proposals to jam RTLM, which continues to incite violence against the Tutsis in Rwanda. This action, as said by A. Des Forges, "is a bloodless" action that would not put lives in danger.

UNSC is unable to come to a consensus on decisions regarding action in Rwanda. What does a deeply divided council say about the productiveness of the UN?

Dr. Des Forges of Human Rights Watch has called the genocide "one of the worst crimes of the century".

BREAKING NEWS: The United Nations has voted to call the situation in Rwanda a genocide.

The unwillingness of the Ambassadors from the US, UK, & France to declare the crisis in Rwanda a genocide is a crime against humanity. With 500,000 Tutsis dead, we are OBLIGATED to do something. This is an insensitive and disappointing action and we urge the public to talk to their representatives.

“Not declaring a genocide has negative implications for international law” - Colin Keating, UNSC Session 3, May 15 1994

UNSC session 3 is set to begin today to decide on the UN's classification of the violence on the ground, to decide on expanding UNAMIR's mandate to Chapter VII, to discuss humanitarian relief, UN statements to condemn the RTLM, and intervention in the Bosnian War.

Informal Discussions from the UNSC are occurring today over Resolution 03

Breaking News: New Zealand has offered to send troops to Rwanda

Updates for the UNSC meeting: Council has yet to vote on Resolution 3, declaring the crisis in Rwanda a genocide...

Updates from the UNSC meeting: Council voted in-favor of Resolution 1 to extend the mandate of UNAMIR until August 5 and to reduce the size of UNAMIR to 800 agents, while striking the amendment to prevent the addition of further DPKO or international contingents to avoid expansion of the conflict.

UN Security Council Session 2 to take place today to continue deliberations on UN action to freeze foreign bank accounts
and UN action to jam or suppress the hate radio station RTLM.

Breaking News in Rwanda: Human Rights Representatives have said that radio personalities are encouraging waves of violence against Tutsis. They are broadcasting the names and locations of individuals who should be killed.

As we wrap up today, it is clear that the council is divided on the issues at hand. Looking forward, they will have more deliberation to discuss everyone's positions on the proposals in the coming days. More coming soon...

France has taken the stance that de-escalating the situation can be achieved by prioritizing the protection of French politicians in Rwanda, as they play a critical role in the future of democracy in Rwanda

U.S. Ambassador Madeleine Albright calls for the reduction of personnel working on the ground in Rwanda through the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNAMIR.

Nigeria proposes an action to label the crisis in Rwanda as genocide.

Sir David Hannay seconds Jean-Bernard Mérimée review of the UNAMIR mandate that the UN must assess the mission's legal basis before an extension of its mandate.

Colin Keating, New Zealand Ambassador to the U.N., and Ibrahim Gambari, Nigeria Ambassador to the U.N. and the A. Des Forges of the HRW calls for the suppression of the RTLM as it functions as an operational tactic inciting war and expresses genocidal intent.

UNSC Update: US opens formal debate on the action proposed by Nigeria to suppress the radio station, Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM).