Abstract

Events in Rwanda in 1994 mark a landmark in the history of modern genocide. Up to one million people were killed in a planned public and political campaign. In the face of indisputable evidence, the UN Security Council failed miserably in its response.

In this classic of investigative journalism, Linda Melvern tells the compelling story of what really happened, revealing both the scale, speed and intensity of the unfolding genocide, as well as exposing the governments and individuals who could have prevented what was happening, if they had chosen to act. The book also tells the unrecognised heroism of those who stayed on during the genocide — from volunteer peacekeepers to courageous NGO workers.

Twenty-five years on from one of the darkest episodes in modern history, A People Betrayed is a shocking indictment of how Rwanda was ignored then and how today it is remembered in the West.

‘A People Betrayed is a masterly and insightful reference for our understanding of international obligations in the prevention of genocide.’
William Schabas, Middlesex University London

Praise for Previous Editions:

'Melvern offers a vivid picture of the role of Western nations in abetting, ignoring and allowing Rwanda's genocide.'
New York Times Book Review

'The best overall account of the background to the genocide, and the failure to prevent it...the investigation is hers, and hers alone. She discovered so much that we did not know.'
Lt-.General Romeo Dallaire, UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda

'An important book by an important investigative journalist. Linda Melvern gets us closer to the truth and the truth gets us closer to a better world. Only when we know how and why genocide happens, can we hope to stop it from happening again. What an achievement!'
Linda Polman, author of We Did Nothing: Why the Truth Doesn't Always Come Out When the UN Goes In

'This is a devastating account of lies, deceit, complacency and tragic neglect.... Linda Melvern deserves our thanks for investing so much in breaking the silence and revealing the truth.'
Glenys Kinnock, MEP

'Melvern has written an extraordinary account of the Rwanda genocide, and the shocking failure of the West to lift a finger. A brave and compelling book.'
Richard Falk, Princeton University

'Linda Melvern has written a compelling description of the most dramatic aspects of the genocide.'
Astri Suhrke, International Affairs

Linda Melvern, a British investigative journalist, has written regularly for the British press, and was previously a reporter for the The Sunday Times, where she was a member of their award-winning Insight Team. For fifteen years she has investigated and written about the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. A consultant to the Military One prosecution team at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, (ICTR) her archive of documents on the planning and preparation of the genocide was a part of the documentary evidence used by the prosecution. She is an Honorary Professor in the Department of International Politics at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth.

Praise for the first edition:
'Melvern offers a vivid picture of the role of Western nations in abetting, ignoring and allowing Rwanda's genocide.'New York Times Book Review
'Linda Melvern has written a compelling description of the most dramatic aspects of the genocide.'Astri Suhrke, International Affairs
'Lifts the lid on the international community’s failure to prevent the genocide. Outlines how the slaughter was aided and abetted by international indifference, loans and weapons deals'Geoff Cumming, New Zealand News
'Quite extraordinary: precise, and yet overwhelming; a fine balance in the face of depravity... Linda Melvern has written an extraordinary account of the Rwanda genocide, and the shocking failure of the West to lift a finger... What Melvern demonstrates so powerfully is that where Western geopolitical interests are absent, Western morality and 'civilised' concerns are nowhere to be found ... A brave and compelling book.'Richard Falk, Princeton University
'The best overall account of the background to the genocide, and the failure to prevent it...the investigation is hers, and hers alone. She discovered so much that we did not know.'Lt-.General Romeo Dallaire, UN Assistance Mission for Rwanda
'This is a devastating account of lies, deceit, complacency and tragic neglect.... Linda Melvern deserves our thanks for investing so much in breaking the silence and revealing the truth.'Glenys Kinnock, MEP
Praise for the second edition:
'A People Betrayed is an important book by an important investigative journalist. It is thanks to the patience and dedication with which Linda Melvern works and her well earned international reputation for excellence in journalism, that she gained access to new, crucial information. Linda Melvern gets us closer to the truth and the truth gets us closer to a better world. Only when we know how and why genocide happens, can we hope to stop it from happening again. What an achievement!'Linda Polman, author of We Did Nothing - Why the Truth Doesn't Always Come Out When the UN Goes In