International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda" by Ms. Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

8 April 2013

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

Thank you for inviting me to stand alongside you on this sombre occasion to commemorate the victims of the terrible 1994 genocide in Rwanda.

The horrific bloodbath that took place 19 years ago involved the massacre of hundreds of thousands of innocent children, women and men. Many more were maimed, physically and emotionally, by acts of attempted murder and rape.

Both in my personal capacity and as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, I am moved beyond words by the immensity of this experience, and I offer the survivors, as well as the families of those who were assassinated, my most profound sympathy and respect.

It is vital that we focus our minds on this commemoration each year, for the world should never forget what happened in Rwanda, or the collective failure of the international community to protect those who were killed. The scars will remain deep and painful for many years, and the society that has survived it is necessarily profoundly affected. Rwanda's people must assimilate events of almost unspeakable barbarity, and somehow surmount those events to pick up the pieces of the business of living.

Following genocide, the first challenge is clarity: to uncover, list and acknowledge the exact and terrible truth of each life lost and every crime committed. The next challenge is accountability: justice must do its work, ending impunity and recreating the rule of law, to reshape a society that can truly respond to popular aspirations for liberty, equality and dignity after this profound trauma.

The third challenge must be rehabilitation. And here, I must bear homage to the remarkable resilience that has been demonstrated by Rwanda’s society and leaders in the aftermath of genocide. I was very inspired recently to hear Rwanda’s Minister of Justice, Tharcisse Karugarama, emphasize the need for all Rwandans to learn to live together. I am confident that Rwanda will be rebuilt so that it slowly finds the path towards a society without prejudice. A society that is fully inclusive. A society in which the fruits of the earth are distributed fairly to all in the community. A society that embraces a plurality of views and open debate. A society where all can feel a sense of safety and a sense of belonging.

Perhaps it is unfair to expect it, but following this terrible experience, Rwanda has it within its power to become a role model; a moral beacon, demonstrating that the principles of justice, freedom and dignity truly are stronger than oppression and hate.

Among the most painful events that have occurred in the region since the 1994 genocide has been the conflict in the DRC. The Peace, Security and Cooperation Framework for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Region that was signed at the end of February by the Presidents of 11 countries — the DRC, Angola, Burundi, Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda — is an attempt to sketch a way out of this crisis.

Given the long history of failed peace deals and bloodshed, and the extensive human rights violations that continue to plague the conflict zone, this agreement may be met with scepticism. But it may also mark the beginning of the end of decades of conflict.

Rwanda can play a vital role at this turning-point. As a country whose suffering has been so profound, and which currently contributes so significantly to peacekeeping efforts elsewhere in Africa, I hope that Rwanda will take a strong stand that helps promote the freedom and dignity of every human being in the Great Lakes region — thus making manifest the universal desire to see the human spirit triumph over the forces of conflict and pain.

Thank you.