Rwanda: Remembering the Genocide 17 Years on
By Eunice Kilonzo
NAIROBI—The Rwandan embassy in Nairobi Thursday joined the rest of the world to mark the 17th anniversary of the 1994 genocide in which close to a million people, mostly minority Tutsis and moderate Hutus were massacred within 100 days. The theme colours used were blue, yellow, green that represented the Rwanda national flag as well as purple which represented mourning. The event was made possible through the joint effort of The Rwanda High Commission and the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC). In attendance were dignitaries such as Mr.Achim Steiner, director general of the United Nations Office in Nairobi (UNON) who presented the UN secretary General’s message, Roland K.G. Amoussouga of International Criminal Tribunal of Rwanda (ICTR), Arusha; Hon.Prof.George Saitoti, Minister of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security and Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs as well as the host His Excellency, High Commissioner William Kayonga and other guests.
The guiding theme for this year’s commemoration is “Upholding the truth: Preserving our dignity.” Seventeen years ago the world witnessed one of the worst humanitarian tragedies of our times. As the day was marked amidst high emotion in memory of the genocide it was clear that it was a tragic testimony to how human kind had reached in matters pertaining to human rights and international criminal justice.
Roland K.G. Amoussouga of ICTR said “April 7th must forever be remembered in mankind history. For with rememberance, with regret, with remorse , we may begin to give concrete meaning to our commitment ‘never again’…widespread mass killing of about one million people who were killed on account of their blood, birth and political affiliations in those fateful 100 days of 1994”. He further emphasized that the rule of law is vital and was grateful that through the United Nations, collective human conscience of mankind decided to address this grave development by establishing the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal. This was done so by the UN Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, through resolution 955 of 8 November 1994.
“Your presence is a sign of solidarity to the people of Rwanda”, High Commissioner William Kayonga emphasized. He further added that truth is for everyone, that truth is preventative: it is a weapon against violence and denial. Truth lights the way from darkness bring clarity and vision for the future.”
He argued that for the survivors, dignity comes when their stories and experiences are expressed and believed. “Telling the truth honours the victims and the survivors. Be insisting that the vision of Rwanda was that of a unified prosperous people”.
In a few remarks, Prof Saitoti summed up that preventing genocide is both a communal as well as an individual responsibility.
As the memorial ceremony came to an end, a moment of silence was observed and white roses were placed on the various photos that were exhibited at the grounds. There were pictures of weapons, discarded clothes, bodies of children lumped up together in a classroom, a young girl with a scar running from one corner of her face, right below her eyes to the other end. The event was concluded by lighting of candles in memory of the lost souls during the genocide.
“The 17th commemoration is a time to establish the memory of genocide and combat its ideology, negationism and revisionism. It is a time to remember together and to hold each other in our knowledge of the past and in our shared commitment to a common future. Rwandans commit to a society in which survivors are provided with the dignity, recognition and assistance they need in order to continue their healing and to work together with all Rwandans to shape a bright future”, concluded Kayonga.