Director-General's remarks at the Observance of the International Day of
Reflection on the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda

Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am pleased to welcome you all to the Palais des Nations for the observance of the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda. I appreciate this opportunity – together with you – to honour the memory of the victims of this horrible tragedy.

I would like to invite you now to observe a minute of silence to remember all those who lost their lives in Rwanda.Ladies and Gentlemen:

Allow me to first thank Ambassador Sebudandi and the Permanent Mission of Rwanda for the invitation to be with you here today on this solemn occasion. Rwanda endured one of the darkest episodes of human history. In remembering the horrors of the Genocide in Rwanda, we honour its victims and we show our respect to the survivors. Today is also an opportunity to pay tribute to the courage of the Rwandan people and their determination to rebuild their lives and their country. The brutality of the 1994 genocide cannot be erased by time and thirteen years on, the Rwandan people are still trying to cope with the consequences of the appalling atrocities that were committed against the men, women and children of their country. Indeed, for the orphans, widows and victims of sexual violence, who are poorer and more vulnerable today because of what they endured, the pain and suffering continues.

It is the responsibility of the entire human family to assist in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Rwanda. This requires restoring the dignity of the survivors, developing education programmes to inform future generations, undertaking poverty reduction strategies and taking timely action to prevent future genocides. The United Nations, in partnership with the media, civil society and non-governmental organizations, is actively engaged in this process of recovery and reconciliation. Rebuilding trust and bridging gaps within all sectors of society is critical to achieving sustainable development and lasting peace.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Only through holding individuals accountable for their crimes can we hope to unite communities against violence and ensure that the horrors of the Genocide in Rwanda are never repeated. The International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda was established to prosecute persons responsible for the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. To that end, the testimony of witnesses is one of the most important elements of ensuring the establishment of the truth. Ensuring the security and safety or all witnesses, as well as the anonymity of protected witnesses remains a priority in bringing about justice.

As we remember the victims of the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda, let us also reflect on the suffering endured by fellow human beings as I speak. Sadly, many other atrocities are still perpetuated today and the world stands by often unable to prevent, or stop them. We must never be complacent. We must pledge to act decisively to prevent genocide and to ensure that such acts of violence are stopped. It is by transforming promises into concrete actions that we can truly honour the victims.

I hope that this event may contribute to strengthening our collective resolve to prevent and stop genocide occurring anywhere in the world. We owe it to the people of Rwanda, we owe it to our fellow human beings and we owe it to future generations.

Thank you very much.