Rwanda searches for healing as nation remembers genocide

 

Rwandans are engaged in a series of activities  to commemorate the 1994 genocide as the nation searches for healing and the victims wait for justice.

 

As delegates converged at Kigali Serena for the third international conference the nation to the 18th memorial as a launch pad for efforts that will bind the Tutsi and Hutu as one people with a common destiny. 

 

"Its my hope we learn from this nation's dark past and shape a bright future," Rwandan Prime Minister, Pierre Habumuremyi remarked as he opened the conference. The UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, Francis Deng listened attentively.

 

Habumurenyi observed that international genocide trials have still fallen short of the expectations of the victims. Its estimated that between April and June 1994, over 800,000 Rwandans were killed in the space of 100 days. The mass slaughter mostly targeted Tutsis and moderate Hutus. The Prime Minister noted that in dissecting the complex phenomenon of the Rwandan genocide, the conference will seek to restore the voices of the victims and shade light on the antecedent anti-Tutsi sentiments 

 

The National Commission for the Fight Against Genocide board chairman noted:"We want to turn around and teach children how similar they are so that we don't concentrate on memories of dreadful memories but cast an eye on the future."  The two day conference is running under the theme: "18 years after the genocide perpetrated against the Tutsi: Testimonies and Reflections." The conference will explore the linkage between pre-genocide patterns of violence, the post genocide effects and the legacy of the post genocide justice. 

The activities will include a vigil on Saturday where citizens will go in repose in commemoration. 

 

Rwandan minister of culture, Mitali Protais noted that the prevention of genocide was a collective effort where government, media and citizens have an equal role to play. He said what was important was not the number of conferences organized but the efficacy of the meetings in healing the wounds and shaping a better future. "We hope make Rwanda an outreach of prevention of sponsored violence," Mitali noted.

 

UN Security Council created the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) on November 8,1994 to contribute to the process of national reconciliation in Rwanda and to the maintenance of peace in the region. The ICTR for Rwanda was established for the prosecution of persons responsible for genocide and other serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in the territory of Rwanda between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1994. It may also deal with the prosecution of Rwandan citizens responsible for genocide and other such violations of international law committed in the territory of neighbouring States during the same period. Within Rwanda, the government has encouraged Gacaca tradition justice system of reconciliation.