Events took place across the world this week to mark 22 years since the beginning of the Rwandan genocide, which lead to the deaths of over 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame lit the Flame of Remembrance at the Kigali Memorial Centre this week, to mark 100 days of mourning for the victims of the genocide. See pictures from the ceremony here.
Also see accounts from genocide survivors, compiled by the United Nations, here.
US President Barack Obama released a statement to mark the occasion, stating,
“We honor not just the victims but also those who risked their lives to save others as well as the survivors who carry the memories of these atrocities. On this solemn day, we remind ourselves of our common humanity and shared commitment to protecting civilians and ensuring that mass atrocities of this magnitude never happen again.”
“Today, even as the United States grieves with the Rwandan people, we are inspired by the progress Rwanda has made in moving beyond these horrible crimes and in building a more peaceful and prosperous future for its citizens. The United States Government and the American people will continue to extend our friendship and partnership to Rwanda as we reconfirm our commitment to protecting the vulnerable, to preventing mass atrocities, and to upholding the inherent dignity of every human being.”
Meanwhile US Secretary of State John Kerry stated that his government is “set to work with the people of Rwanda and the international community to finish the task of bringing those responsible for the heinous acts to justice’’.
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US Ambassador Samantha Power tweeted about the commemoration and released a statement saying,
“We continue to tell the history of the unspeakable abuses they suffered, and to condemn all those who deny or downplay the genocide that took place. We recommit ourselves to the unfinished work of accountability, healing, and reconciliation. And together, we look out at the world and ask – as we must – how we can learn from what happened, so that others will not endure what Rwandans continue to suffer to this day?”
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