National Jurist - January 2008 - (Page 21) of justice in Rwanda, which includes both the successes and shortcomings of the Gacaca court system,” she said. “I have found it a challenge to get classmates and others interested in this subject matter.” Her unit is charged with the task of responding to any complaints and concerns that Gacaca is not functioning properly. But the first thing she had to do was read all of the legislation and attempt to understand it. “When I was in undergraduate school, I did not have specific plans to attend law school,” O’Neill said. “It was after working as a social worker for two years that I decided to obtain a J.D. in order to better serve under-served populations.” Every week, she was given several reports to read and assess. She then presented the assessments to her supervisors, who in turn decided which aspects of the reports to address with international donors and aid organizations. O’Neill also wrote reports focusing on the successes and failures of Gacaca. “My supervisor recommended that I view Gacaca through the lens of international standards of fair trial,” she said. “I was also encouraged to speak to survivors and perpetrators alike in an effort to understand the unique situation Rwanda faces.” The experience O’Neill said she didn’t have any reservations about the internship. “In Rwanda, everyone you meet has a story,” she said. “After being deserted by the international community and subjected to physical and mental anguish, many genocide survivors are able to discuss their stories with complete strangers and foreigners. That is admirable.” The progress in Rwandan justice since 1994 is incredible, O’Neill added. “I don’t think anyone inside or out of Rwanda would have predicted that such an innovative and organized system could have been implemented.” But when asked about a specific memory from her time in Rwanda, O’Neill isn’t comfortable repeating some of the harrowing stories she encountered. But she will say that the staff at Gacaca were pleased and in some cases surprised that an American would sacrifice time and effort to come to Rwanda and work. The staff members, she said, are working hard to enforce the law, as well as respond to criticism and suggestions for improvement. “Gacaca, for all of its alleged shortcomings, is important to say the least,” she said. “So, I felt that it was naturally important for me to be there.” Study in SPAIN BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS WITHOUT BLOWING YOUR BUDGET 2008 William & Mary Summer Law Program You can afford to study abroad! William & Mary’s summer law program in Madrid is one of the best and most affordable of any American law school. Join us for our 21st summer program in Spain! Contact: Anne Beckley (757) 221-3818 sumlaw@wm.edu www.wm.edu/law/studyabroad William & Mary Law School Summer Study Abroad P.O. Box 8795 Williamsburg VA 23187-8795 January 2008 THE NATIONAL JURIST 21 http://www.wm.edu/law/studyabroad http://law.fiu.edu http://law.fiu.edu
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