International Relations Policy Analysis; Hotel Rwanda

International Relations Policy Analysis; Hotel Rwanda

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March 8^th, 2020

Analysis of Hotel Rwanda

Essay Outline

1.0 introduction

1. A description of the films main theme

Hotel Rwanda is a film that depicts the events in Rwanda that led to the death of thousands of people, displacement of hundreds and intensified political disputes between Hutus and Tutsis.  The main theme of the movie is genocide. The United Nations recognizes genocide as a crime under the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (United Nations, 2019). Under the Convention, genocide is defined as the intent to destroy a national, ethnical, racial or religious group.

Hotel Rwanda is based on the true story as told by Paul Rusesabagina, who is portrayed as a house manager in a high-end hotel in Kigali, Rwanda. Paul uses his position and influence to save more than 1 200 victims who sort refuge at the Hotel during the genocide in 1994. The Rwandan genocide is described as one of the most horrific genocide in African history (Adhikari, 2007). An estimated 800 000 people were massacred mainly the Tutsi by their Hutu community within three months (April-July) (Adhikari, 2007). Majority of the victims were hacked to death with machetes, farming instruments and spiked clubs (Adhikari, 2007).

1. A summary of the synopsis and plot of the film.

Hotel Rwanda is based on a real-life story with specific characters and events that occurred in Rwanda in 1994. In 1994, the tension had reached a crisis point at which point the Rwandan radio announced that on May 5^th there would be a ‘clean-up.’  Clean-up referred to the cleansing of the |Tutsis by the Hutu tribe. As a result, it is reported that nearly 1 million people were killed by the militia shortly after the announcement (Nzabatsinda, 2005). The movie focuses on Paul Rusesabagina, who manages a hotel in Kigali and provides it as a refugee camp during the genocide. It is regarded as one of the single daring act that permitted thousands to survive (Nzabatsinda, 2005). Paul is a manager at the famous Sabena Hotel des Mille Collines, and he is a Hutu but, his wife is a Tutsi. The tension between the Hutu and Tutsi is fueled by extremists such as George Rutaganda who is a friendly suppler to the Hotel and is a local leader of the Interhamwe- which is the brutal militia of anti-Tutsi (Nzabatsinda, 2005).

As the political tension in Rwanda continues to deteriorate, Paul and his family see his neighbours being forced out of their homes and openly beaten in the streets. Ironically, Paul carries favour with people of influence in the region, bribing them with money and alcohol to seek refuge for his family (Nzabatsinda, 2005). Civil war erupts in the region, and the Rwandan Army officer threatens Paul and his neighbours. Paul decides to take refuge at the Hotel along with his neighbours. Refugees began streaming into the Hotel, fleeing the UN offices, the Red Cross camps and the orphanages (Nzabatsinda, 2005). Paul’s decision to divert the soldiers and care for the refugees is one of the prominent scenes in the movie (Nzabatsinda, 2005). The foreigners are evacuated but, Rwandese are left behind. Throughout the movie, Paul bribes a Rwandan Army General with alcohol, but, the bribes do not hold for long. Paul decides to blackmail the general threatening him that he would be tried as a criminal (Nzabatsinda, 2005). Eventually, the family and the other refugees are able to leave in a UN convoy and travel through retreating masses of refugees and militia who were trying to reach them (Nzabatsinda, 2005). In the end, they were able to reach behind the Tutsi rebel lines.

2.0 Body

2.1 Context present in the film

1. A summary of the factors presented in the film

The factors presented in the film include the economic factor and violence in Africa. The difference between the two tribes originates from the economic dominance the Tutsi experienced over the Hutu (Nzabatsinda, 2005). The film shows a peaceful Rwanda that is thriving with prominent hotels and foreigners flocking into the region as tourists and workers (Uraizee, 2010). The film also shows neighbourhoods with gated communities and amenities that are community-based. However, the peace and tranquillity are shown in the movie ends abruptly with an announcement on the Rwandan radio inciting Hutus to kill Tutsis (Nzabatsinda, 2005). The consequential factor on African violence is perpetuated throughout the film. It depicts the stereotype that Africans as restless individuals ready to fight. Within the film, Paul sees his neighbours, Tutsis, been flogged in the streets dragged from their homes (Uraizee, 2010). The tensions between the two tribes highlight another factor presented in the film- political difference. The announcement on the Rwandan Radio with the message of ‘cleaning-up’ shows the undisputed anger from the Hutus against the Tutsis (Uraizee, 2010). The political difference is also shown through the Rwandan General, who is a Hutu trying to lobby Paul to release the Tutsis from the Hotel so his militia could massacre them (Nzabatsinda, 2005). The subsequent factor that is presented in the film is the genocide and its effects. The mass killing of Tutsis leaves most of the Tutsis homeless and seeking refuge. In the film, Paul embarks on a mission to protect the Tutsis fleeing from the Hutu militia.

1. A description of the political, social, and economic environment of Rwanda as depicted in the film Hotel Rwanda.

The political approach of the film shows a country that is divided along tribal lines. The movie begins by showing a peaceful region whereby, foreigners are thriving alongside the two tribes (Uraizee, 2010). But, underneath, there are political tensions that cultivate into a crisis, and soon, genocide begins. The reproach to how Rwanda was a region of envy with thriving hotels and tourists culminates with the political tension that leads to the death of millions and the displacement of thousands of Tutsis (Adhikari, 2007).

With respect to the social environment, in the beginning, the region is shown as a friendly country where foreigners and locals thrived together. At one point, the film introduces the audience to Paul, a Hutu who is married to Tatiana, a Tutsi (Nzabatsinda, 2005). The film also shows how Hutus and Tutsis co-existed in one area such as Paul and his Tutsi neighbours. However, the social depiction of a calm nation quickly ends with an announcement on the Rwandan radio telling Hutus it is time to kill the Tutsis (Uraizee, 2010). Soon after, foreigners flee the region, and the social indifference between Hutus and Tutsis is highlighted (Uraizee, 2010).

On the economic aspect, the film presents a thriving nation. Rwanda has numerous hotels and resorts where locals are hired, including Paul, the house manager. The film depicts the country as an economically thriving region full of agricultural and urbanized centres (Nzabatsinda, 2005). However, this quickly ends during the genocide, with most of the businesses being shut down.

• An explanation of how the political, social and economic factors influenced the events depicted in the movies.

The political, social and economic differences between the Hutus and the Tutsis are shown throughout the movie which highlights the reason for the civil war. It is shown how Tutsis are thriving compared to the Hutus, especially economically and socially. Paul lives among neighbours who are primarily Tutsi as well as works with individuals who are Tutsis. It is the sentiments by the Rwanda General that highlight the difference between the privilege between the Tutsis and the Hutus (Adhikari, 2007).

2.2 History time comparison

1. A review of how the history of Rwanda is recorded in the movie.

The history of Rwanda is depicted as a region with the civil war between two tribes, the Hutus and the Tutsis. The film highlights the difference between the anger of the Hutus and the fear within the Tutsis. It shows how the Tutsis were fleeing from the region in a mass exodus and the frontier between Hutus and Tutsis militia (Uraizee, 2010).  It shows how Tutsis were eager to seek refuge within orphanages and the UN offices but to no avail (Nzabatsinda, 2005).

1. Compare Rwanda’s historical events and the events depicted in the film.

The film shows the thriving association between the Hutus and the Tutsis. In the film, Paul, a Hutu thrives well with his Tutsis neighbours and Tutsi wife, Tatiana (Uraizee, 2010). In Rwanda’s history, there has always been tension between the two communities. The Hutus did not thrive well with the Tutsis. The reason was that Hutus were poorer compared to the Tutsis and thus, Tutsis were more of the elite ruling tribe. Politically, Rwanda was a Hutu-dominated-one party state (Yanagizawa-Drott, 2014).

The film portrays Tutsis leaving the country during the 1994 genocide. However, history places the displacement of Tutis to have occurred previously, including the 1973 clashes between the two communities (Yanagizawa-Drott, 2014). Majority of the Tutsit population fled to Uganda and sort refuge under the Rwanda Patriotic Front (Yanagizawa-Drott, 2014).

The film depicts the genocide to have started from an announcement on the radio. Historically, the genocide began as a result of the high ranking Hutu officials in the government sanctioning the massacre of their fellow countrymen (Yanagizawa-Drott, 2014). The militia violence was government supported during the genocide and not necessarily acting on its own capacity, as shown in the film (Uraizee, 2010).

• Review how accurate the state’s history is recorded in the movie.

The state’s history is not well represented in the movie. The movie only depicts one person’s account of the genocide. The film leaves a lot of loopholes regarding the political tension between the two communities, efforts by the Tutsis to save their people, the actual massacre, rape and victimization of Tutsis by the Hutus (Yanagizawa-Drott, 2014). The film does not depict how Hutus turned against their spouses and relatives during the genocide. It also does not show the brutality in which the Tutsis were killed by the Hutus (Nzabatsinda, 2005). The film, in summary, does not depict the organization of the militia groups from the high-ranking officials in the government to the community members at the village level (Nzabatsinda, 2005).

2.3 Review the film Perspective

• A description of the international relations theories in the film.

The theory of realism is emphasized in the film. Realism theory expounds on the protection of self-interests and preservation of autonomy. Hutus are expressing their discontent against the Tutsis, which historically, the latter have always dominated against the Hutus. Another theory is on Marxist theory. The theory asserts that a person’s position within a social status hierarchy is determined by their role in economic contribution and political ideologies. The Hutus feel threatened by the domination of the Tutsis in their economic affluence as seen in the movie. It explains why the Hutus retaliate against their countrymen.

• An analysis of how the IR theories manifest through the film’s characters.

The Rwandan General, a Hutu, is adamant in letting Paul keep the Tutsis in the Hotel. In his view, he has orders to completely annihilate the Tutsis from the region. The General’s view of the Tutsis highlights the theory of realism. The profound need to protest the Hutu’s self-interests and political influence is expressed through the growing desire for the General to force Paul to let the Tutsis go. Another character, Geroge, the supplier, is a Hutu. His expression about the Tutsis is seen from the beginning of the film. He incites Paul that one-day the Tutsis will get what they deserve. George highlights the theory on Marxism through the emphasis of positioning the Hutus on an economic level similar to that of the Tutsis.

• A review of how the IR theories influenced the events in Rwanda as depicted in the film.

The theory on realism reiterates on the need for an individual to seek self-interests against those of a larger community. The Hutus seek reparation for their historic suffrage against the Tutsis. They felt that Tutsis were more affluential given their roles in governments and in society. As such, the need to retaliate against the Tutsis intensified through the genocide. As for the Marxist theory, the need to protect the economic and political role of the Hutus against the Tutis is highlighted in the movie. The Hutus seek to ‘clean-up’ the Tutsis from Rwanda as they had done before. They feel that Rwanda is rightfully theirs.

• What are the IR policies present in the movie

The international policies present in Hotel Rwanda diplomacy, foreign aid and military policies (Jackson et al., 2019).

2.4  IR policies depicted in the film

1. An explanation of the international and domestic IR policies depicted in the film

Diplomacy is the domestic IR policy depicted in the film. The presence of UN offices in the region shows the presence of an international organization and its role played in Rwanda’s genocide, including the saving of the refugees from the Hotel (Yanagizawa-Drott, 2014). The UN is a special body that is called upon during a crisis to help the innocent. In this case, the UN helped the Tutsis flee the region. The other policy is foreign aid (Jackson et al., 2019). The presence of the UN envoy to save the refugees shows the impact the global community made in ensuring that the refugees had a place to live during the genocide (Uraizee, 2010). Camps were erected at the end of the movie on the Tutsi’s frontier, highlighting the influence of foreign aid in helping the refugees. Finally, the IR policy on military aid was evident when the Un envoy escorted by UN troops was seen at the front of the Hotel. The presence of the UN troops shows a military response in helping the victims of the genocide.

1. An analysis of how the IR policies addressed Rwanda’s genocide crisis at the moment.

The IR policies did not do much for the Rwanda genocide. In the movie, the UN troops did not engage with the Hutu militia who were occupying the hotel terrorism willing to kill the Tutsis inside (Yanagizawa-Drott, 2014). The only impact the policies did was to safely evacuate the Tutsis into Tutsi’s militia region where they were able to seek refuge.  The IR policy on foreign aid, however, was important at the moment (Jackson et al., 2019). It provides camping grounds and relief food for the refugees as seen at the end of the movie.

• A critical examination of the policies goals towards solving the genocide crisis in Rwanda

The diplomatic policy played a crucial role in culminating the genocide in Rwanda. President Habyarimana and the leaders of the Rwandan Patriotic Front signed a peace agreement in Tanzania, ending the UN peacekeeping mission in the region (Yanagizawa-Drott, 2014). The military IR policy also ensured there was minimized tension between the militia groups during the peace signing deal and the culmination on reduced vigilante tactics among the Hutus against the Tutsis (Yanagizawa-Drott, 2014). The foreign aid policy ensured that Tutsis received the food, water, medicine and shelter they needed during the crisis (Yanagizawa-Drott, 2014).

1. What are some of the challenges did the policies faCe in solving the crisis in Rwanda? Was it correctly depicted in the film Hotel Rwanda?

The challenges the policies faced in quelling the crisis is the increased militia organization fo the Hutus against the Tutsis. According to Yanagizawa-Drott,  (2014), there were increased roadblocks, attacks against the Tutsis, increased distribution of weapons among the Hutus and increased organization of the Tutsis against the Hutus (Yanagizawa-Drott, 2014). The civil war intensified during 1994 and 1995, and as a result, it made it difficult for the peacekeeping mission undertaken by the UN to succeed until the peace signing deal conclusion in Arusha, Tanzania (Yanagizawa-Drott, 2014).

2.5 Recommendations

1. A description of a personal suggestion of an alternative policy guideline that could have resulted in better outcomes in Rwanda’s genocide.

In my opinion, the best IR policy would have been military and defence. Military and defence policy should have been the only policy implemented in Rwanda. More enforcements would have been brought against the Hutu militia. The reason is based on the little address the military did on quelling the crisis in Rwanda. Hence, the proposition would have been to use military or defence against the growing unrests caused by the Hutus. It would have ensured that Tutsis were safe while seeking refuge within Rwanda and it would have led to fewer deaths reported.

3.0 CONCLUSION

            3.1 A summary of the policy analysis

1. A conclusion of the policy analysis

The international relations policies (diplomacy, foreign aid and military) were the main policies instituted against the genocide in Rwanda. The policies were successful in ensuring Tutsis were protected from the Hutu militia who wanted to massacre them. Nevertheless, the opinion is that the policies were too lenient in providing protection to the Tutsis, given the high number of victims who were killed and displaced. Hence, the recommendation would have been to use military and defence policy as the last resort and primary policy against the Hutus in Rwanda. The proposition would have led to fewer deaths and calamities.

References

Adhikari, M. (2007). Hotel Rwanda–The challenges of historicising and commercialising genocide1. Revisiting the Heart of Darkness–Explorations into Genocide and Other Forms of Mass Violence, 173.

Jackson, R., Sørensen, G., & Møller, J. (2019). Introduction to international relations: Theories and approaches. Oxford University Press, USA.

Nzabatsinda, A. (2005). Hotel Rwanda. Research in African Literatures, 36(4), 233–236.

United Nations. (2019). United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect. https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/genocide.shtml

Uraizee, J. (2010). Gazing at the Beast: Describing Mass Murder in Deepa Mehta’s Earth and Terry George’s Hotel Rwanda. Shofar, 28(4), 10–27.

Yanagizawa-Drott, D. (2014). Propaganda and conflict: Evidence from the Rwandan genocide. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 129(4), 1947–1994.