Discuss the impact of Britain's response to the Rwandan Genocide.

Britain's response to the Rwandan Genocide was largely criticised for its lack of intervention and failure to prevent the mass atrocities.

In 1994, the world witnessed one of the most horrific genocides in history, as approximately 800,000 Tutsis were systematically murdered by the Hutu majority in Rwanda. The international community, including Britain, was widely condemned for its lack of intervention and failure to prevent the mass atrocities. Britain's response, or lack thereof, to the Rwandan Genocide had significant impacts, both in terms of its international reputation and its subsequent foreign policy decisions.

Britain, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, had a significant role to play in the international response to the genocide. However, like many other countries, Britain was slow to recognise the scale of the atrocities taking place in Rwanda and failed to take decisive action. This lack of intervention has been attributed to a number of factors, including the recent failure of the UN mission in Somalia, a lack of strategic interest in Rwanda, and a reluctance to become involved in what was perceived as an internal conflict.

The impact of Britain's response was twofold. Firstly, it damaged Britain's international reputation. The failure to intervene in the face of such horrific atrocities led to widespread criticism and accusations of moral failure. This was particularly damaging given Britain's position as a global leader and permanent member of the UN Security Council. The lack of action was seen as a betrayal of the principles of human rights and international law that Britain purports to uphold.

Secondly, Britain's response to the Rwandan Genocide had a significant impact on its subsequent foreign policy decisions. The criticism and regret over the failure to intervene in Rwanda led to a shift in Britain's approach to international crises. This was evident in the more interventionist stance taken in subsequent conflicts, such as in Kosovo and Sierra Leone. The lessons learned from Rwanda also influenced the development of the 'Responsibility to Protect' doctrine, which asserts that the international community has a duty to intervene when a state is unable or unwilling to protect its own citizens.

In conclusion, Britain's response to the Rwandan Genocide was marked by a lack of intervention and a failure to prevent the mass atrocities. This had significant impacts, damaging Britain's international reputation and influencing its subsequent foreign policy decisions. The lessons learned from Rwanda continue to shape Britain's approach to international crises and its commitment to the protection of human rights.