A Rwandan farmer accused of killing thousands of Tutsis in southwest Rwanda , recently appeared for the first time before the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in Arusha.

Munyakazi John Yusuf faces charges related to genocide in the provinces of Cyangugu and Kibuye provinces. Prosecutors claim he is responsible for massacres in the parish of Shangi where over eight thousand bodies were found in a mass grave. Survivors later named it after him.

Accused of genocide and of extermination as a crime against humanity, Munyakazi has pleaded not guilty to both charges “Both the allegations in count one and two are false. I didn't do anything alleged there. I will give full explanation when my trial begins” he told the court.

Before the genocide, Munyakazi was a farmer in the small town of Bugarama in south west Rwanda . After the genocide, he fled to Kamayola in the eastern part of neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

According to Rwanda 's legal authorities his name often comes up in Gacaca hearings, the traditional village courts now processing cases against thousands of genocide suspects.

“He planned all the attacks” says Mukarugambwa Hawa, president of a local Gacaca court “He was the leader of Interahamwe militia here. His home was the head office. The militia who went out to kill got on the buses in front of his house and on return they disembarked from there”

Mukarugambwa also believes Munyakazi is responsible for the death of her father and uncle. She says under Munyakazi's order, they were cut with machetes and their bodies thrown in a river.

Mukarugambwa's husband Butoyi Masoud says Munyakazi also harassed him for having chosen a Tutsi to be his wife. He says Munyakazi demanded three hundred thousand francs to spare his life, so he sold his house to raise the bribe.

Munyakazi has two wives. His first wife, Mukaruhunga Ashur lives with her grand daughters. She says Munyakazi is innocent. “My husband was a strong believer in Islam. All the neighbours know that he was very active in religious activities. He prayed a lot and helped many people including the sick. He participated in a lot of religious activities”

Munyakazi helped to build the oldest mosque in his home town in the early 80's. But some of the people who saw him as a devout Muslim at that time, now see him very differently.

Sheikh Tubanambazi Hamis the Imam of Bugarama town in the southwest of Rwanda says he was shocked to see him change all of a sudden. “Frankly speaking, the way he behaved was not in line with Islamic beliefs” says the cleric. “He took up the leadership of the genociders! Bearing in mind that our religion does not accept such, we consider him somebody who did evil. All the Muslims here see him as somebody who betrayed our religion as well as God because he entered that militia group”

Musengayire Ezra narrowly escaped death during a massacre in Cyangugu. He now works for the survivors association, IBUKA.

He says Yusuf was like a father to him “He did me all that a father can do to a son. But I accuse him of genocide because he participated in it and led the people here into it” he remarks.

Some of the genocide suspects who know Munyakazi well say he should not deny the charges. Kayibanda Narcise who is in Gikongoro prison confessed to his crimes. He accuses Munyakazi of genocide. “ I know Munyakazi Yusuf as somebody who massacred Tutsis because of their ethnic background” he says. “He sensitized many people and trained them to kill Tutsis. I know fully well that Yusuf is a killer because I committed the crime with him. He was my boss. He gave me instructions and I obeyed until the end of genocide”

Munyakazi's trial is expected to begin at the ICTR in the next few months. So far, the court has concluded twenty cases, with twenty-four yet to begin.

Kigali 7 th May 2004

In 2004, The Government of Rwanda amended the laws governing Gacaca courts so as to address problems which emerged in the preliminary phases such as the harassment of witnesses, one of the biggest challenges facing Gacaca as it moves into its third and final phase the hearing of trials.

In October and November 2003, three Gacaca witness were murdered in the district of Kaduha, in Gikongoro province, in southwest Rwanda .

“We thought Genocide was over, but it seems it is still going on in Kaduha” laments Mediatrice Mukaneza a relative of a murdered witness.

Emile Nahimana went missing on 4 th October last year and his body was found tied to a log in a river, eight days later. The body of the second witness, Charles Rutinduka was found at his home cut with machetes. The two men had earlier said they would testify in the Gacaca courts.

Early in 2004, ten people were convicted and sentenced to death for the murders. Two others received life imprisonment.

“The prosecution will not tolerate people who are killing witnesses because they are speaking the truth. We will follow them up until they are punished” says Rwanda 's prosecutor General Jean de Dieu Mucyo.

Despite these convictions, other witnesses still fear for their lives.

Kayinamura Fidel, brother to one of the victims says he is afraid to testify or to provide any documents that would lead to the arrest of some suspects.

Fidel is also considering fleeing from his home village for fear of being harmed. “If the government helps me out, I will stay here. Otherwise I will have to run away from these killers and go to a safer place” he says

Many potential witnesses in Kaduha district appear to share such worries and are afraid to testify at Gacaca, for fear they too will be murdered.

But others see the three Gikongoro killings as the result of personal animosity between individuals, not as a genuine threat to the Gacaca process. Rugemintwaza Emmanuel says there is no reason to be afraid. ‘ People live well with each other except those who have personal misunderstandings. The rest of the population has no problem. Witnesses tell the truth about what they saw. There is no problem in it!'

However, some witnesses think that local people in Kaduha district don't really know how Gacaca is supposed to work. But Gacaca officials say people know very well what Gacaca is all about

Despite this, the officials are concerned about what happened in Kaduha and do not want it to be repeated elsewhere in Rwanda .

So, they're asking the Government to ensure adequate protection for all witnesses, all over the country “ We request that the security of the witnesses and Rwandans in general, be maintained so that this issue does not hamper the performance of the Gacaca courts” remarks Isaballe Kalihangabo Gacaca councilor for Gikongoro and Butare provinces.

The ministry of Internal Security is in charge of guaranteeing the security of every Rwandan. Minister Ntiruhungwa Jean de Dieu says after the Kaduha killings, the government has intensified night patrols and local security meetings to curb such acts of insecurity. Minister Ntiruhungwa however says that local people have the responsibility to help security officials to maintain a safe environment by giving them timely information about security issues.

So as Gacaca prepares to begin actual trials, security of witnesses remains one of the pressing issues. The Government guarantees to protect them and law makers are also working to make Gacaca law more explicit. This may encourage witnesses to testify without fear.

Kigali , August 2003

Kibuye province lies on the shores of Lake Kivu, making it one of the most scenic places in Rwanda . A few miles away from the lake, are the hills of Bisesero, where an estimated 50,000 Tutsis died in one of the worst massacres of the 1994 genocide.

One of those charged with the Bisesero massacres is Eliezer Niyitegeka, who was sentenced by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda to life imprisonment after he was found guilty of genocide and crimes against humanity.

The 50 year-old convict was a native of a village near Bisesero and the former minister of information in the Rwandan interim government. He was arrested in Kenya and transferred to Arusha in early 1999, on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.

Niyitegeka's trial began in June 2002. It is one of the fastest trials the ICTR has conducted.

One of the Bisesero hills where thousands of Tutsis were killed became a symbol of resistance to genocide in Rwanda.

Survivors here say they fought the militia for three months using spears and stones until the military bombarded the hill. They are not pleased with Niyitegeka's sentence.

“Considering the bad things he did, he deserved the same fate as those who died” says Mukomeza Aron a genocide survivor and native of Bisesero.

Innocent Havugimana was a young boy during the Bisesero massacres. He says his parents were close neighbors with Niyitegeka. He is not happy with Niyitegeka's sentence. “We do not understand what kind of punishment it is! It's like giving him shelter. It's like helping him. That's not a punishment”, says Innocent Havugimana.

Most of the survivors of the Bisesero massacres say Niyitegeka deserves a death sentence. Others they've left the matter to God. “I can't think of a suitable punishment for him. Only God can give it to him”, says Mukakimenyi Bonifrida, a survivors.

To other Bisesero genocide survivors, the word "justice" would be more meaningful if some form of compensation is alongside it.

“What do you think the orphans he left behind benefit from the sentence he was given?” asks Mutarambirwa Azarius, a native of Bisesero “The sentence itself has nothing wrong with it. But there should be some form of compensation to those orphans or others that were left unable”, he adds.

Some of the genocide suspects, who survivors say were involved in the Bisesero killings, are now in Gisovu prison.

They say they never saw Niyitegeka in any of the massacres nor heard his name in the Gacaca hearings which have been held in Gisovu prison. “Niyitegeka's home village is Gisovu commune. Prisoners from there participated in the Gacaca hearings. No one said they saw him! No one accused him”, says the president of Gacaca in Gisovu prison who prefers anonymity.

Niyitegega's defense lawyers have given a notice of appeal. The prosecution says it will vigorously oppose any move to appeal.

Niyitegeka will remain in detention until a decision is rendered on the appeal. If he looses his appeal, he will have to be transferred to a country to be designated where he will serve the sentence.

Kigali , November 2003

The Rwandan semi-traditional courts known as Gacaca are intended to try genocide suspects, but they also have other powers.

According to the law which governs Gacaca, these village courts can punish people who refuse to give testimony, who provide false testimony, or who threaten witnesses. Those found guilty face one to three years imprisonment, under Articles 32 and 37.

So far, over seventy people have been charged for such behavior. Some await trial, others have already been sentenced. But is the law fair? Many of those arrested, say it is not.

“These articles should not allow detention without trial. The way these articles are being applied oppresses not only me, but also many other people” says Peter Kanyangira who is serving sentence in Ntsinda prison in eastern Rwanda

Some people agree that they have violated the law, and accept their punishment. Ndabakuranye Shawal was sent to prison by a Gacaca court in Rwamagana for beating and threatening a witness - Bimenyimana Cassim - who named him during testimony. “I did not complain because I knew about the law. I am still serving the punishment under Article 32”, explains Shawal.

Most of the Gacaca witnesses say the law offers them the respect they deserve, but that it must be enforced so as to dissuade people from harassing witnesses.

Benda Abbas is Chairman of the Gacaca court that sentenced Ndabakuranye Shawal for beating a witness. He says articles 32 and 37 lend credibility and gravitas to the Gacaca, and that this is helpful. “The law has boosted the credibility of Gacaca courts”, says Abbas “We do not need respect as such but we would like people to understand what needs to be done”, he explains

Despite the fact that some people are happy with Articles 32 and 37, some Gacaca officials feel the law is still not explicit enough. “ The interpretation of this law is tricky, because it does not provide a clear definition of circumstances under which ‘not testifying', ‘refusal to testify' and ‘giving false testimony' should be punished”, remarks Regis Rukundakuvuga Gacaca Counsellor in the Supreme Court.

Most people accused of breaking the law under articles 32 and 37 seem to feel it needs changing. They don't like how cases are handled.

Given such diverse opinions and demands, where does Gacaca go from here?

Mr. Rukundakuvuga says the government is considering amendments in the law governing Gacaca. He says the change will not be based on the problems arising from these articles but that will address such issues.

Some people may be keen to see changes to the law governing Gacaca. But would it be enough?

The head of Rwanda 's Law Reform Commission, Karugarama Tharcise says more changes may be required. “ You never know how a law will work, or problems it may pose, until the law is in effect. The thing about legislation is that it's an evolving process”, he says.

The concept of justice is often compared to a set of weighing scales, where balance is the objective.

In Rwanda , lawmakers are trying to balance the natural evolution of law with the urgent demand for a system of jurisprudence which will help reconcile a post-genocide society.

Getting the balance right is essential, but it may not be easy.

Kigali, June 2004

One of the greatest challenges facing Rwanda, is how best to build a lasting peace among all its citizens, following the genocide of 1994.

The National Unity and Reconciliation Commission has encouraged reconciliation for over five years.

Recently, a joint program to give children a voice in the process of peace and understanding was launched by UNICEF and Rwanda's Unity and Reconciliation Commission.

This is a new idea, as in Rwandan culture, children are usually expected to accept the wisdom of adults, to be ‘seen-and-not-heard'.

But staff at the Commission believes children can help shape a new Rwanda.

“We took time to ask people around the country their ideas on the reconciliation process. However, none of their remarks involved anything about children” says Fatuma Ndangiza the Executive Secretary of the commission.

UNICEF too believes that the adults of today should listen to the adults of tomorrow.

“I think we have to trust and to give confidence to the children and the adolescents” suggests Bintou Keita the UNICEF representative to Rwanda “I think this is the only way we can educate the kids to be good citizens of the country”

Rutayisire Antoine has been teaching reconciliation for several years. He says if one is thinking of unity and reconciliation and does not consider children, one makes a big mistake.

In April 2004, ten years after the genocide, UNICEF and the Reconciliation Commission organised the Children's National Summit in Kigali. Children from all over Rwanda told delegates of their experiences during the genocide, about how they survived and how it still affects their lives today.

James Rutaburingoga spoke at that conference. During the genocide he was beaten up severely. Today he finds it difficult to speak because of stammering.

James sits in the same class as the children of his father's killer. He believes Rwandan children can be reconciled. “Despite what happened to me, we live well with those children. I love them” he says

Nyirarukundo Clementine also shared her experiences, at the Children's National Summit.

Her father died in exile during the genocide. This rendered her vulnerable, because she lacked parental care and protection. One day, on her way to school, Clementine was raped.

Clementine's baby, Jacqueline, is now nine months old.

Clementine has to raise her daughter and try to find time for school. Her mother tries to help, but is very poor. Clementine says life is very hard. But she's not bitter. She is reconciled to her situation.

“I am ready to forgive him but I would ask him to look after the child” says Clementine.

Clementine's mother Nyiratebuka Esperanza also believes in reconciliation from the roots. “Reconciliation would build in them as they grow and they would not think of their ethnic differences. They would be one” she explains.

Although the Commission focuses mainly on children, it also urges adults - particularly parents or guardians - to support the project in any way they can.

But children too, have ideas about how to build peace in Rwanda. Some of them say they want to testify at Gacaca, Rwanda's traditional village courts, dedicated to post-genocide justice. What do the authorities think?

“I very much agree with it because I think the mind of a young person is fresh and not overloaded like that of an adult” remarks Mukantaganzwa Domitille head of the Gacaca courts in Rwanda. “ We accept that children should testify. We are still considering the age limit at which we should begin. We are thinking of beginning from children who were seven years old during the genocide”, adds Ms. Mukantaganzwa.

But not all of those teenagers, who wish to testify at Gacaca, are ready to forgive.

A student who preferred anonymity said he can not forgive the person who killed his parents. Such feelings are not unusual, but they might be difficult to resolve. So how does the Reconciliation Commission respond?

“Its evident a child who thinks like that has been deeply affected by genocide.

Problems of suspicion within the adults are also passed down to them” Says Fatuma Ndangiza head of the reconciliation commission.

The Head of Gacaca courts, Domitille Mukantaganzwa says every Rwandan must help children with such feelings and make them understand not to do to others what was done to them.

Staff at the Reconciliation Commission hopes to begin teaching reconciliation to children in schools and families. They believe the UNICEF Children's Summit proved how effective such projects can be.

“I think it was a lesson to the adults. We asked them to come and listen to what their children say” says Fatuma Ndangiza. “Most of them were surprised to hear what their children knew. It awakened them and I think even back at home, they will listen to them more”

Peace and reconciliation might not be easy for Rwandans, because they cannot change their history. But perhaps they can create a better future by talking with ….and listening to ... their children.

During the genocide of 1994, more than two thousand people were killed at a technical school in Kigali , the Ecole Technique Officiel or ETO. Now, ten years on, the same school has provided the location for a BBC film Shooting Dogs.

Shooting Dogs producer is David Belton, who worked in Rwanda as a BBC reporter during the genocide. He says he has long felt the urge to tell the world about what he saw in 1994.

“It's a dream come true for me! I've been thinking about coming back to Rwanda for ten years to make something of lasting value about what happened here” says David

The film is aimed at international audiences who may know little about Rwanda . The story focuses on a middle-aged white priest, a young English teacher and a young Rwandan woman. All three are caught up in the slaughter of 1994, as armed militia surrounds the ETO, where hundreds of students are studying and UN soldiers have a small base.

John Hurt is one of UK 's finest film actors. He appeared in many films including Scandal, Hell Boy, Rob Roy and the Harry Potter series.

Hurt who is featuring in Shooting dogs as father Christopher says the film will expose the two sides of human nature.

“There is no good people and bad people as such. Every human being is capable of everything. What sets us apart from the animal world basically is free will and choice, whether we make the right choices or the wrong choices” explains the 64 year-old film actor

Hugh Dancy who plays Joe, is a rising young star from England . He has appeared in King Arthur and Black Hawk Down.

A graduate of Oxford University , who loves reading, Hugh says he learned a lot during his time in Rwanda .

“I think it is quite unique in so many respects I've acted in films before that were true stories but to come and film the story of the ETO here in the place that it happened and many of the Rwandan people that have come to help us; they are working on the film, they are in the film as actors and extras who were here in the ETO or who were here during 1994; that's a unique experience” explains Hugh Dancy.

Over six hundred locals worked on the film, earning a minimum of around twelve thousand Rwandan francs a day, that's about twenty US dollars. Some earned more, depending on their skills and film experience. They all welcomed a chance to help tell their story to the world.

Karasira Venuste, for example, lost an arm in the butchery at ETO but survived the killings. His daughter was killed and all the other members of his family were seriously wounded.

“I am happy to act in this film because it gives me an opportunity to participate telling the International Community more about the Rwandan genocide”, says Karasira

It should also help some younger Rwandans to understand too. Arthur Nkusi was just three years old in 1994. He says acting in the film helped him learn more about what happened in Rwanda during the genocide.

The lead lady on set, Claire Ashitey, is still in high school in London . This is her first film, and quite an experience. “I think it's really a hard film to start on! It's certainly been very challenging but also quite interesting” says the 17 year old student.

Shooting Dogs is the third film shot in Rwanda after 100 Days and Sometimes in April

This movie takes its title from a conversation between two characters, about whether to shoot dogs eating dead bodies. It's an ironic reference to fact that the UN Security Council would not allow UN troops to use force to prevent genocide.

Instead, the troops were told to monitor a peace agreement signed in Arusha , Tanzania . When the genocide began, ten Belgian soldiers were butchered. Their desperate colleagues could only watch the killing spread across Kigali, before they were ordered to pull out.

Tim Vallings worked as an extra, playing a UN soldier. He says the acting was fun, but not when they had to leave ‘refugees' behind. “It was quite difficult to do because you get very involved in what's going on and even doing it take after take, I do get a sense of abandonment after each take that we had done”, remarks Tim

Director Michael Caton-Jones is a Scotsman based in New York . He has directed several well-known films including “This Boy's Life”, “The Jackal” and “Rob Roy”. He's worked with many top names, including Robert De Niro, Richard Gere and Bruce Willis. But nothing beats Rwanda , he says.

“ It's been one of the warmest receptions I have ever heard on a film anywhere I have shot from. It's been very satisfying” admits the director “For a country that has no film making infrastructure, it's been remarkable how the people have learned quickly and picked up and enthusiastically joined in the whole film making process”

So does this mean Rwanda has a real future in film-making? Producer David Belton believes Rwandans have the potential to develop their acting and drama skills. He says the challenge for Rwandans is to see Rwanda move on beyond the three films that have been made about the genocide and develop a proper dramatic and theatrical culture.

“I think it is terribly important that both at schools and university people see the huge potential that is here for people to express themselves” says the producer “I would love to see other film makers come to this country and start to make films not just about genocide but about other things”

With a budget of seven million US dollars, Shooting Dogs is a joint production by BBC Films, UK Film Council, and CrossDay Production s and Kivu Films. Director Michael Caton-Jones says operating on this budget is challenging

“The most challenging thing I think has been the fact that we actually have a small budget for what we are trying to achieve” he explains “We've been trying to achieve something of a bigger scale of film, and we do not have enough money to do it so we got to be quite ingenious about trying to make it bigger and make it look realistic and just give it some scale”

Money was not the only limitation. In Hollywood , scripts have to be short and tightly-written.

“The most challenging thing I think is that in the story, there is so much information to try and tell” says Hugh Dancy. “You are trying to make it as realistic as possible for European audience, who probably will start watching the film knowing almost nothing. You have to feed them information about Rwanda in 1994, about what it was before 1994 without them even knowing it. So that's quite difficult sometimes”

It may possible to act, but it's impossible to forget. During the filming, some locals worked on traumatic scenes similar to their experiences during the genocide

“ It's not an easy thing to act in this film because one is reminded of many bad things that they have lived through” concedes Karasira, a genocide survivor

Shooting Dogs will be released in summer 2005, and a public screening is planned for Amahoro National Stadium so that as many Rwandans as possible can see it for themselves.

The civil war and genocide which ravaged Rwanda in 1994 left in its wake many orphans and widows Most are poorly educated, and find it hard, if not impossible, to get a real job. Many are helpless.

But it's not all bad news. Some are actively seeking solutions, through self-help associations such as Women for Women International.

Women for Women works with Rwanda 's community development leaders to identify needy women who feel socially excluded. They are encouraged to rebuild their lives, first by identifying their problems, then by developing skills and strategies to solve them.

To finance this process, the women are matched with sponsors in North America and Europe who send a monthly donation of $20, or about eleven thousand Rwandan Francs. Sponsorship lasts one year. That's $240 for each Rwandan participant.

“We train them to use the money, to start projects which can generate profits and sustain them during the year they spend in the program. They learn to be pro-active and to work for their own development”, says Kabarungi Bella, Program coordinator.

Women for Women is based in Washington DC , where the staff coordinates activities between sponsors and participants in eight different countries.

“Our sponsors are primarily in North America and Europe but we have sponsors all over the world”, says Wendy Shapiro, Women for women Rwanda Country Director. “They learn about the program often from features on television some publicity in newspapers, participation in women for women conferences, occasionally direct mail which is a way of recruiting interested supporters”, she explains.

Over one thousand women, aged between eighteen and fifty five across Rwanda 's twelve provinces, are receiving donations from abroad, and setting up self-help associations.

Abahujumuco Association for example, in Kigali Ngali province, has eighty five members. They grow and sell fresh vegetables. Their most recent harvest generated over five hundred thousand Rwandan francs, or about $850.

“Most of us have used the money to buy domestic animals. Some members say they bought goats while others have used the money to work on their gardens. In that way, we have helped our families”, says Mukamazimpaka Francine the coordinator of the association

The participants also go through training on social issues such as women's rights, reproductive health and perhaps most important of all, how to live in peace in a post-conflict community.

In a nation torn apart by war and genocide, they learn to concentrate on the future instead of a traumatic past. They are taught to cooperate and work together. Participants say it has changed their lives. “Women for women has helped us in many aspects but the most important thing was that it brought us together”, says Mukamazimpaka

Trainers say they benefit too because they always have something new to learn. “My experience is not only teaching but learning as well. Most of the women know things I do not know. They are often older, and they teach us about Rwandan culture. We teach them modern things”, says Louise Ndayizeye, one of the trainers.

So, participants and trainers benefit. But what about the women who send the money? What do they get out of helping a stranger, thousands of miles away?

Carol D'Aleo who lives in the USA has sponsored Aurelie Mukareyo in Rwanda for one year. She says her reward is receiving letters from her. Carol says her grandson once had a car accident and she did not know he would recover so she asked her friend Aurelie in Rwanda to pray for him. Aurelie had a 21 year old son. “When he heard the news he was very moved by it. He wanted to have my grandson's address and he wrote to him personally and now the two of them are often corresponding which is just a wonderful thing”, says Carol.

Aurelie too says Carol's sponsorship has changed her life. “I am very happy. I thank her and I thank God who sent her as a new friend. In fact I don't regard her as just a sponsor, I see her as my sister”, says Aurelie.

In Kigali , local participants in Women for Women come for training twice a week. They learn to overcome feelings of social exclusion, to understand that they have potential to develop themselves and to play important roles in their local community.

Matha Kakuze teaches handicrafts. She learned her skills twenty years ago, and through the program she has now passed them on, to more than a hundred people. “ I want other women to learn this, so that it can help them like it helps me” she says “For example: I lost my husband but I have children. I use the money I raise from selling baskets to pay for their school fees and buy food” she jovially explains.

Some participants can learn the art in a two months period.

One basket sells for between five to eight hundred Rwandan francs, or about one dollar.

There's no steady market yet, but a few sales are better than none at all, and the women are working hard to expand. But despite such determination, there are difficulties too.

Kabarungi Bella, the Program Co-ordinator says most of the women who join the program have no previous academic background so their pace of understanding is so low. “We always have to monitor their performance very closely. It requires patience and dedication but we are committed”, says Bella

But whatever their personal situation, they relish the results of their labour and co-operation in such difficult circumstances, and hope to provide a positive example to others.

Day-by-day, with a little help from their friends at home and abroad, these once-marginalised women of Rwanda are back on track, working hard to reshape their lives, their families, and their country.