20 yrs. after Rwandan genocide, prosecutor teaches at DU law school

interview with David Akerson

Twenty years ago, Rwanda experienced 100 terrible days of genocide.  University of Denver law lecturer David Akerson shared with “First Take” how he found himself on the prosecution team at the international tribunal for those crimes.

“The United Nations created the first international criminal tribunal since Nuremburg,” said Akerson.  ”When I arrived (about three years after the genocide), the evidence accumulated in a hotel room, even in the bathtub.”

Today, Akerson considers Rwanda’s recovery miraculous.  ”There’s a renaissance going on in Rwanda.  It’s not without controversy, but they’ve experienced more growth, more development, and they’ve reduced corruption.”

Link to the official website for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda