The date 7th of April marks the start of the genocide in 1994. On this day we honour those who were killed through reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
On this day our UN Secretary-General said "And we gain inspiration from the capacity of those who survived for reconciliation and restoration. We must never again let such an atrocity occur. We must say no to hate speech and xenophobia, and reject the forces of polarization, nationalism and protectionism".
During this genocide, more than 1 million people who perished were killed in the most horrendous conditions because they belonged to a group that was dehumanized and targeted for total extermination. The Day of Reflection offers us an opportunity to look back, considering the factors that led to such mass atrocity and renew the collective pledge of 'never again'.
Remembrance is the responsibility of our international community. The least we can do is honour the memory of the children, women and men brutally murdered 24 years ago. Unless the world remembers the lessons we learned from this atrocity, we will never live up to its pledge in ensuring no other country endures the pains and suffering once faced by Rwanda. Therefore, we embedded the lessons learned in the values of solidarity and unity.
According to UNICEF, by the end of 1994 95,000 children had been orphaned. Post-genocidal situations today often include older children raising younger ones by themselves or children growing up by themselves. Rwanda is among the highest proportions of child-headed families in the world and some 42,000 households struggle to raise around 101,000 children. Many of these children do not go to school or eat regularly. Some, as a result of the widespread rape during the genocide and the increased spread of HIV/AIDs, are now falling ill themselves. Hereby, many are also at risk of exploitation and abuse.
It is a generation that has lost its childhood and whose future is very much at risk. It is crucial we continue the efforts to support these children and do our very best to give them a bright future.
Watch António Guterres's (UN Secretary-General) message:
Watch Tijjani Muhammad-Bande's (President of the General Assembly) message:
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