United Nations Security Council Resolution 912
Encyclopedia
United Nations
Security Council Resolution
912, adopted unanimously on April 21, 1994, after reaffirming all resolutions on the situation in Rwanda
, particularly resolutions 872
(1993) and 909
(1994), the Council expressed its alarm and condemnation of the large-scale violence
in the country which resulted in the death of thousands of innocent civilians, and proposed a revised mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda
(UNAMIR).
The Council expressed shock at the shooting down of a plane carrying the President of Rwanda Juvénal Habyarimana
and President of Burundi
Cyprien Ntaryamira
on April 6, 1994. Following this, there was an outbreak of widespread violence in which thousands died and resulted in the displacement of a significant number of the Rwandese population both in Rwanda and neighbouring countries, and an increase in looting
, banditry
and breakdown of law and order
. There was concern for the safety of UNAMIR and other United Nations and humanitarian personnel who were assisting in the implementation of the peace process and distributing humanitarian aid
.
The Security Council deplored the incident in which the Presidents of Rwanda and Burundi were killed and the violence which claimed the lives of the first minister, cabinet ministers, officials and thousands of civilians. Violence around Kigali
and attacks on UNAMIR in particular were condemned. A ceasefire
was demanded between the Government of Rwanda and the Rwandan Patriotic Front
(RPF) and an end to the violence engulfing the country. In this regard, the size of UNAMIR was reduced and its mandate was adjusted as follows:
to mediate a ceasefire; to assist in the resumption of humanitarian relief operations; to monitor and report on developments in Rwanda, including on civilians who sought refuge with UNAMIR.
It was decided that the mandate of UNAMIR would be kept under review in light of developments and recommendations by the Secertary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali
. The Arusha Accords
remained the only settlement of the conflict in Rwanda, with the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) urged to continue efforts in the peace process. The international community
was called upon to continue providing humanitarian aid. Finally, the Secretary-General was requested to report on the situation with 15 days to the Council.
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
Security Council Resolution
United Nations Security Council Resolution
A United Nations Security Council resolution is a UN resolution adopted by the fifteen members of the Security Council; the UN body charged with "primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security"....
912, adopted unanimously on April 21, 1994, after reaffirming all resolutions on the situation in Rwanda
Rwanda
Rwanda or , officially the Republic of Rwanda , is a country in central and eastern Africa with a population of approximately 11.4 million . Rwanda is located a few degrees south of the Equator, and is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo...
, particularly resolutions 872
United Nations Security Council Resolution 872
United Nations Security Council Resolution 872, adopted unanimously on October 5, 1993, after reaffirming resolutions 812 and 846 on the situation in Rwanda and Resolution 868 on the security of United Nations operations, the Council stressed the need for an international force in the country...
(1993) and 909
United Nations Security Council Resolution 909
United Nations Security Council Resolution 909, adopted unanimously on April 5, 1994, after reaffirming resolutions 812 , 846 , 872 , 891 and 893 on Rwanda, the Council expressed concern at deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the country, particularly in Kigali, and extended the...
(1994), the Council expressed its alarm and condemnation of the large-scale violence
Rwandan Genocide
The Rwandan Genocide was the 1994 mass murder of an estimated 800,000 people in the small East African nation of Rwanda. Over the course of approximately 100 days through mid-July, over 500,000 people were killed, according to a Human Rights Watch estimate...
in the country which resulted in the death of thousands of innocent civilians, and proposed a revised mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda
United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda
The United Nations Assistance Mission In Rwanda was a mission instituted by the United Nations to aid the implementation of the Arusha Accords, signed August 4, 1993, which were meant to end the Rwandan Civil War. The mission lasted from October 1993 to March 1996...
(UNAMIR).
The Council expressed shock at the shooting down of a plane carrying the President of Rwanda Juvénal Habyarimana
Juvénal Habyarimana
Juvénal Habyarimana was the third President of the Republic of Rwanda, the post he held longer than any other president to date, from 1973 until 1994. During his 20-year rule he favored his own ethnic group, the Hutus, and supported the Hutu majority in neighboring Burundi against the Tutsi...
and President of Burundi
Burundi
Burundi , officially the Republic of Burundi , is a landlocked country in the Great Lakes region of Eastern Africa bordered by Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and south, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Its capital is Bujumbura...
Cyprien Ntaryamira
Cyprien Ntaryamira
Cyprien Ntaryamira , was President of Burundi from 5 February 1994 until his death when his plane was shot down on 6 April 1994.-Biography:...
on April 6, 1994. Following this, there was an outbreak of widespread violence in which thousands died and resulted in the displacement of a significant number of the Rwandese population both in Rwanda and neighbouring countries, and an increase in looting
Looting
Looting —also referred to as sacking, plundering, despoiling, despoliation, and pillaging—is the indiscriminate taking of goods by force as part of a military or political victory, or during a catastrophe, such as during war, natural disaster, or rioting...
, banditry
Outlaw
In historical legal systems, an outlaw is declared as outside the protection of the law. In pre-modern societies, this takes the burden of active prosecution of a criminal from the authorities. Instead, the criminal is withdrawn all legal protection, so that anyone is legally empowered to persecute...
and breakdown of law and order
Law and order (politics)
In politics, law and order refers to demands for a strict criminal justice system, especially in relation to violent and property crime, through harsher criminal penalties...
. There was concern for the safety of UNAMIR and other United Nations and humanitarian personnel who were assisting in the implementation of the peace process and distributing humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes, typically in response to humanitarian crises including natural disaster and man-made disaster. The primary objective of humanitarian aid is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity...
.
The Security Council deplored the incident in which the Presidents of Rwanda and Burundi were killed and the violence which claimed the lives of the first minister, cabinet ministers, officials and thousands of civilians. Violence around Kigali
Kigali
Kigali, population 965,398 , is the capital and largest city of Rwanda. It is situated near the geographic centre of the nation, and has been the economic, cultural, and transport hub of Rwanda since it became capital at independence in 1962. The main residence and offices of the President of...
and attacks on UNAMIR in particular were condemned. A ceasefire
Ceasefire
A ceasefire is a temporary stoppage of a war in which each side agrees with the other to suspend aggressive actions. Ceasefires may be declared as part of a formal treaty, but they have also been called as part of an informal understanding between opposing forces...
was demanded between the Government of Rwanda and the Rwandan Patriotic Front
Rwandan Patriotic Front
The Rwandan Patriotic Front abbreviated as RPF is the current ruling political party of Rwanda, led by President Paul Kagame. It governs in a coalition with other parties...
(RPF) and an end to the violence engulfing the country. In this regard, the size of UNAMIR was reduced and its mandate was adjusted as follows:
to mediate a ceasefire; to assist in the resumption of humanitarian relief operations; to monitor and report on developments in Rwanda, including on civilians who sought refuge with UNAMIR.
It was decided that the mandate of UNAMIR would be kept under review in light of developments and recommendations by the Secertary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Boutros Boutros-Ghali
Boutros Boutros-Ghali is an Egyptian politician and diplomat who was the sixth Secretary-General of the United Nations from January 1992 to December 1996...
. The Arusha Accords
Arusha Accords
The Arusha Accords were a set of five accords signed in Arusha, Tanzania on August 4, 1993, by the government of Rwanda and the rebel Rwandan Patriotic Front , under mediation, to end a three-year Rwandan Civil War...
remained the only settlement of the conflict in Rwanda, with the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) urged to continue efforts in the peace process. The international community
International community
The international community is a term used in international relations to refer to all peoples, cultures and governments of the world or to a group of them. The term is used to imply the existence of common duties and obligations between them...
was called upon to continue providing humanitarian aid. Finally, the Secretary-General was requested to report on the situation with 15 days to the Council.
See also
- Arusha AccordsArusha AccordsThe Arusha Accords were a set of five accords signed in Arusha, Tanzania on August 4, 1993, by the government of Rwanda and the rebel Rwandan Patriotic Front , under mediation, to end a three-year Rwandan Civil War...
- History of RwandaHistory of RwandaHuman occupation of Rwanda is thought to have begun shortly after the last ice age. By the fifteenth century the inhabitants had organized into a number of kingdoms...
- List of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 901 to 1000 (1994 – 1995)
- Rwandan Civil WarRwandan Civil WarThe Rwandan Civil War was a conflict within the Central African nation of Rwanda between the government of President Juvénal Habyarimana and the rebel Rwandan Patriotic Front...
- Rwandan GenocideRwandan GenocideThe Rwandan Genocide was the 1994 mass murder of an estimated 800,000 people in the small East African nation of Rwanda. Over the course of approximately 100 days through mid-July, over 500,000 people were killed, according to a Human Rights Watch estimate...