Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1964 - 1996 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
Size/Number of Items/Parts: 200 linear ft. of records, 399 boxes, No. of Boxes: 399
Context area
Name of creator
Administrative history
UNAMIR was established by Security Council resolution 872 (1993) of 5 October 1993 to help implement the Arusha Peace Agreement signed by the Rwandese parties on 4 August 1993.
UNAMIR's mandate was:
- to assist in ensuring the security of the capital city of Kigali
-monitor the ceasefire agreement, monitor the security situation leading up to elections, assist with mine clearance
-assist in the coordination of humanitarian activities.
After renewed fighting in April 1994, the mandate of UNAMIR was adjusted by Security Council resolution 912 (1994) of 21 April 1994, so that it could act as an intermediary between the warring Rwandese parties.
UNAMIR's mandate was expanded by Security Council resolution 918 (1994) of 17 May 1994, to enable it to contribute to the security and protection of refugees and civilians at risk. Following the ceasefire and the installation of the new government, UNAMIR worked to promote national reconciliation and to stabilize Rwanda to encourage the return of the displaced population.
By resolution 965 (1994) of 30 November 1994, UNAMIR was asked to contribute to the security in Rwanda of personnel of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and of human rights officers, and to assist in the establishment and training of a new, integrated, national police force.
By resolution 997 (1995) of 9 June 1995, the Council decided to further adjust the mandate of UNAMIR so that it would help achieve national reconciliation; assist in facilitating the return of refugees, and, to that end, to support the Government of Rwanda in its ongoing efforts to promote a climate of confidence and trust.
On 12 December 1995, the Security Council, by its resolution 1029 (1995), further adjusted UNAMIR's mandate to focus primarily on facilitating the safe and voluntary return of refugees, and, as an interim measure, contributing to the protection of ICTR.
During the mission's mandate, two persons served as head of mission (HoM) and special representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG): Jacques-Roger Booh-Booh from November 1993 to June 1994, and Shaharyar M. Khan from July 1994 to March 1996.
The force commanders were: Major-General Romeo A. Dallaire (October 1993 to August 1994), Major-General Guy Tousignant (August 1994 to December 1995), and Brigadier-General Shiva Kumar (Acting; December 1995 to March 1996).
The mandate of UNAMIR officially came to an end on 8 March 1996. The withdrawal of the Mission was completed in April 1996.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Content and structure area
Scope and content
United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR)
Mission Structure
UNAMIR Key:
Roman numerals (I, II, III…) = Series
Uppercase letters (A, B, C…) = Box titles
I. Office of the Executive Director (S-1120)
A. Office of Political Affairs
B. Special Assignments
C. Office of Protocol
D. Office of the Spokesman
E. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance
F. Office of Legal Affairs
G. Radio Unit
II. Office of the Force Commander (S-1062)
A. Chief of Staff (COS)
B. Chief Military Personnel Officer (CMPO)
C. Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (DCOS Ops)
D. Deputy Chief of Staff for Staff Support (DCOS Sp)
E. Medical Branch
F. Military Observer (MILOB) Group
III. Division of Administration and Management (S-1061)
A. Security Section
B. Civilian Personnel Section
C. Procurement Section
D. Integrated Support Services Section (ISS)
E. Management Information Systems Section
F. Finance Section
G. General Services Section (GSS)
H. Regional Offices
I. Board of Inquiry (BOI) Unit
J. Medical Branch
K. Office in Nairobi
IV. Office of the Police Commissioner (S-1060)
V. Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (S-1063)
A. Special Assistant
B. Personal Assistant
C. Deputy Area Security Coordinator and CSO
This mission structure was developed for the purpose of archival arrangement.
Winthrop Group, 5 November 2009
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Finding aids
Uploaded finding aid
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Screening Guidelines
Records containing sensitive personal information are classified strictly confidential because of privacy restrictions. Both the content and context of the personal information must be considered by the archivist when screening records to determine whether to classify a document as strictly confidential.
Folders that consist predominantly (more than 50%) of the following three types of records should be classified strictly confidential:
• Medical
• Human resources/personnel
• Criminal records (records pertaining to the detention/capture of UN staff for political reasons are NOT inherently sensitive records)
All folders (except strictly confidential folders) are to be screened at the item level. When screening folders for sensitive personal material, the context in which a record is found influences its classification. For example, documents with passport numbers that appear in an unclassified, UN-prepared trip dossier do not need to removed from the dossier and classified strictly confidential. However, a folder of travel authorizations for troops traveling on leave containing visa and passport numbers would be classified strictly confidential. Similarly, a situation report that merely states “Peter Smith broke his leg on Friday” would not need to be classified strictly confidential, but a situation report with copies of Smith’s medical records attached would.
Documents containing sensitive/personal information about internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees are strictly confidential. The exception is records documenting the movement of IDPs and refugees, or that only provide information about their location, which are unclassified.
It is understood that the classification decisions made by processing archivists cannot be definitive, as classification is subject to change during re-screening by UN staff before the public is given access to the records.
All strictly confidential or confidential items should be placed in separate subfolders at the front of the file. All items marked strictly confidential or confidential, as well as all sensitive/personal items identified as strictly confidential, will be counted. A stapled group of documents is counted as one item regardless of the number of strictly confidential, sensitive/personal, or confidential items contained within the stapled group of documents.
This screening method will be specified in the series descriptions.
Markings classified strictly confidential:
• Strictly confidential
• Code cable – Only / No distribution
• Cryptofax – Only / No distribution
Markings classified confidential:
• Confidential
• Code cable
• Cryptofax
• Restricted
• Personal (If documents marked Personal are sensitive in nature, they should be classified strictly confidential.)
• Secret
According to the above guidelines, these types of sensitive/personal documents are to be considered strictly confidential:
• Curriculum vitae
• Resumes
• Personnel records
o Job applications
o UN Personal History forms
o Letters of recommendation
o Medical records (immunizations, correspondence regarding employee’s absence due to illness, notes/letters signed by doctors)
o Performance evaluation reports
o Report of Dependence Benefits
o Skills questionnaires
o Monthly Attendance sheets
• Medical records of UN staff as well as non-UN staff
• Records of criminal proceedings (unless the information about the crime is public)
• Records describing criminal offenses of UN staff and non-UN staff that include names, dates and locations (unless the information about the crime is public)
• Photocopies of passports
• Photocopies of Laissez-Passer documents
• Settlement of death cases and other legal cases (money awarded to people submitting claims to UN insurer)
• Visa applications
• Autopsy reports
• Documents pertaining to incidents and police investigations (traffic accidents, property damage, assault, kidnapping, homicide, rape)
o Official reports
o Statements
o Related correspondence
o Transcripts of interviews
o Hand drawn sketches that provide information about the incident
o Photographs of the scene of the incident
o Photographs of the individuals involved and deceased victims