Rwanda marks 25 years since genocide
The African nation began a 100 day mourning period in tribute to the victims of one of the worst atrocities in history
Times News Service
MUSCAT: Rwanda is commemorating the 25th anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi ethnic group that saw more than 800,000 people killed in a 100 day period.
The African nation began a 100 day mourning period in tribute to the victims of one of the worst atrocities in history. The Heads of State and Government of Belgium, Canada, Ethiopia, Chad, Congo Brazzavile, Djibouti, Niger as well as senior officials from the African Union and EU joined Rwandan President Paul Kagame at the Kigali Genocide Memorial to mark the start of the national mourning period.
The memorial is where the remains of more than 250,000 victims of the genocide are buried.
Speaking about the horrific events that occurred in Rwanda a quarter of a century ago, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, said, “This year marks the 25th anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, one of the darkest chapters in recent human history.
“More than 800,000 people – overwhelmingly Tutsi, but also moderate Hutu and others who opposed the genocide – were systematically killed in less than three months. On this Day, we honour those who were murdered and reflect on the suffering and resilience of those who survived.
He added, “As we renew our resolve to prevent such atrocities from ever happening again, we are seeing dangerous trends of rising xenophobia, racism and intolerance in many parts of the world. Particularly troubling is the proliferation of hate speech and incitement to violence.
“They are an affront to our values, and threaten human rights, social stability and peace. Wherever they occur, hate speech and incitement to violence should be identified, confronted and stopped to prevent them leading, as they have in the past, to hate crimes and genocide.”
Guterres called on all political, religious, and civil society leaders to reject hate speech and discrimination, urging them to “to work vigorously to address and mitigate the root causes that undermine social cohesion and create conditions for hatred and intolerance.
“The capacity for evil resides in all our societies, but so, too, do the qualities of understanding, kindness, justice and reconciliation. Let us work together to build a harmonious future for all. This is the best way to honour those who lost their lives so tragically in Rwanda 25 years ago,” he stated.
EU High Representative Federica Mogherini stated, “Today’s acts of remembrance provide an opportunity to also reflect on the lessons of the past, for the region and the world at large,
at a moment in which upholding universal values, ensuring accountability and promoting effective multilateralism are more relevant than ever.
“25 years later, Rwanda is in many ways a transformed country thanks to the determination of the people of Rwanda to rebuild both their lives and their country, and to pursue national reconciliation,” she added.
Commemorative events are also being held around the world.
The planned and viciously executed genocide began late on April 6, 1994 after Hutu president Juvenal Habyarimana was killed when his plane was shot down over Kigali. Tutsi men, women, and children of all ages were massacred with machetes, guns, and grenades.