Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in Netherlands and Institute of Social Studies in The Hague commemorate 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi
By Robert Kayinamura, First Counsellor, Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in The Hague.
The Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in the Netherlands continued the 22nd commemoration program in cooperation with the International Institute of Social Studies in The Hague. The event on June 22, was organized under the theme ‘Fighting Genocide Denial” and was attended by more than 100 guests, including students, professors, teachers, Friends of Rwanda, Rwandan nationals living in the Netherlands and many others.
In The Hague, and throughout the world, April to July marks the annual period of mourning for the 1994 genocide against Tutsi, in which more than a million people were killed. For this event, the student body of the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University, Scholars, and the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in The Netherlands have collaborated once again to remember the innocent lives lost, and show solidarity with survivors and reflect on lessons learned, for looking forward.
Professor Inge Hutter, Rector of the Institute of Social Studies, said in her opening remarks that in order to remember, to unite and to renew, it is in all matters crucial to make a connection to the other. At the event, the administration committed that commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi will be held a very year at the Institute.
In his remarks, Mr. Guy Beaujot, Friend of Rwanda, called on every one on “Rwanda Never Again” towards “Fighting Genocide Ideology”. He said that this year’s theme, ‘Fighting Genocide Ideology’ is not that different from last year’s but apparently it’s one that bothers and disturbs some people. He cited, Mr. Bart Stapert, defender of an alleged genocide perpetrator in a case that opposes the Dutch state against his client who appeals against his eviction to face trial in Rwanda, made a lot of fuss in court a few weeks ago”, said Beaujot. He added to say that questioning the reason for commemoration is an act of genocide denial, accusing the authorities to manipulate the commemorations is part of an inherited strategy of genocide ideology and seeing now some renowned Dutch lawyers implementing this into their defense strategies is alarming.
The audience got a small lecture from Dr. Helen Hintjens, who’s specialism is the post-genocide politics of peaceful change and refugee issues in the African Great Lakes region and Rwanda in particular, about the three fundamental forms of denial; Literal denial, interpretive denial and implicatory denial. “Genocide denial is a crime in many parts of the world, and rightly so. Lesser forms of denial, of atrocities and suffering short of genocide, also block the path to future peace”, concluded Dr. Hintjes her lecture.
Christian Mundele (chairman of Ibuka Netherlands) spoke on behalf of Ibuka and this was followed by a Ms. Hetty Franzani, another Friend of Rwanda, who talked about sharing skills and changing lives.
H.E. Ambassador Jean Pierre Karabaranga concluded the program with his keynote speech and said that “today as we remember, we invite students, professors, teachers, Friends of Rwanda, Rwandans and the international community to take concrete measures to fight the genocide ideology and the genocide denial that has been going around for 21 years in some parts of this world. I would like to offer a reminder to all of us. The fact is that the ICTR Trial Chamber concluded, on 2 September 1998, that “genocide was, indeed, committed in Rwanda against the Tutsi as a group” and that the Appeals Chamber confirmed, on 16 June 2006, that it is a “fact of common knowledge” that “between 6 April and 17 July 1994, there was a genocide in Rwanda against the Tutsi ethnic group”, this should at least serve as a basis for all of us to desist any attempt to deny or trivialize facts of genocide.”
“Rwanda commemorates genocide for the 22nd time, the world celebrates the 71st anniversary of the United Nations charter, in which 194 members pledge “never again” and have committed to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treatiarues and other sources of international law can be maintained. Among these treaties are those that have moved the prosecution of genocide, from being an option to being a duty. In this regard, Rwanda reminds countries of their international law obligation of prosecuting these genocide suspects or handing them over to Rwanda to face Justice”, Ambassador Karabaranga continued.
“Every year we recognize the bravery of RPF’s men and women led then by President Paul Kagame who rescued the few survivors we have today. On this day of remembrance we thank them for their sacrifices and bravely during that horrible period. They are our heroes and the next generation have to take example to them.”
H.E. Ambassador Jean Pierre Karabaranga concluded and thanked the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) of Erasmus University for organizing this annual event in cooperation with the Embassy.
Join Rwanda in Kwibuka activities by leaving a message of remembrance on www.kwibuka.rw. Follow @KwibukaRwanda for updated information on Kwibuka22.
