Hotel Rwanda: Heroism or Terrorism? Desi Tsamadias

 Some may know Paul Rusesabagina as a larger than life hero from the Hollywood-produced film "Hotel Rwanda", or even real life hero who saved many lives during the horrific Rwandan Genocide. On September 20th, he was convicted on terrorism charges.

First, let's back track to the events of the Rwandan Genocide. This genocide is known today as one of the most horrific, devastating genocides in history. It arose from conflict during a Civil War between the more prevalent ethnic group the Hutus, and a less prevalent but more politically dominant group, the Tutsis. In 1959, the Hutus overthrew the Tutsi monarchy, leading tens of thousands of Tutsis to flee to neighboring countries. During this time, a rebel Tutsi group formed (the RPF) which invaded Rwanda in hopes of regaining a politic standing, and in 1994 a plane holding the then President and Vice President (both Hutus) was shot down, killing everyone on board. Hutu extremists blamed the RPF and immediately started a well organized and strategized slaughter of Tutsis around the entire country. 

It was, essentially, 100 days of slaughter. Hutu forces set up militia-run checkpoints around the country to stop Tutsis and kill them. Neighbors killed neighbors and Tutsi women were kidnapped and held as sex slaves, as the streets of Rwanda ran red for 100 brutal days. 

During this time, though, there were some who harbored and tried to hide Tutsis to save their lives. This is exactly what Paul Rususabagina, a hotel manager, allegedly did. Though it is fact that the hotel manager helped save thousands of Tutsi lives by housing them in the Hotel de Milles Collinnes, it has also been a controversial topic in years past. While, no doubt, Rusesabagina helped many people and survived a genocide, some believe that he wasn't everything 'Hotel Rwanda' made him out to be. He has long been thought of as a hero in the U.S and abroad, even earning a Medal of Honor from President Bush in 2005, and being featured worldwide. 

So why is he being convicted of murder, arson and terrorism? It is believed that these charges have now been brought up in relation to a group that he supports, which does have a smaller military sect, yet he states, "Is not a terrorist group". Mr.Rusesabagina was lured to Kigali, after being told he was flying to Burundi and has been taken prisoner, put on trial and convicted, though he lives in Texas and is a U.S and Belgian citizen. It is also believed that one of the reasons he has been charged are his previous and current public remarks about current Rwandan President Paul Kagame, whose rise to power and suppression of dissent has landed him in a great controversy. He is currently linked to a number of unexplained deaths in Rwanda as well. 

Overall, this is a very complex and deep rooted conflict. Personally, while I believe that Mr.Rusesabagina had a role in saving the lives of thousands that cannot be undermined and should be praised, there may be a possibility that it has been exaggerated in some ways. On the other hand, I do not believe that he is getting a just trial or that he should be convicted of any of these crimes, given the fact that the President is known for his intolerance to dissent or remarks against him. I thought it interesting and also very sad that the repercussions of the Rwandan Genocide are still so senitive to the people there and that someone who has seen and done so much for others is now being silenced and sentenced against his will. I hope that one day there can be reconciliation in the country of Rwanda, and that wounds will finally start to heal from this tragedy.