International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda

International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda

The International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda aims to remind the international community of the horrors and consequences of the crime of genocide. This initiative also seeks to drive collective action towards the prevention of such atrocities in the future and the promotion of shared peace and unity. Established by the United Nations, This day is a reminder of the tragic atrocity that claimed the lives of over a million people within a span of 100 days.

This contemplative event has a crucial significance within the realm of South African sociopolitical context. The bloody history of the 1994 genocide carries a resonant cautionary message about the perils of ethnic hatred and political violence, elements which have marred South Africa's own past. By remembering Rwanda's tragic past, South Africans can better appreciate the transformative power of reconciliation and unity, as having navigated their own path from the deeply divided apartheid era to the present-day Rainbow Nation.

In South Africa, the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is commemorated in collaboration with the Rwandan Embassy and various civil society organizations. Activities typically involve public dialogues, film screenings, candle-light vigils, and minute of silence as ways of paying respect to the victims of the genocide. These events promote a deepened understanding of the causes and effects of such atrocities, fostering an environment that supports peace, coexistence, and mutual respect among diverse peoples. This observance takes place annually on the 7th of April.

Facts about this day

• More than one million people were systematically killed in less than three months. The Tutsi people made up the majority of deaths, but the Hutu, the Twa, and others who opposed the genocide were also targeted.
• On this day, we honor those who were murdered, we reflect on the suffering and we recognize the resilience of those who have survived. As we join in solidarity with people of Rwanda, we must take a hard look at today's world and ensure that we heed the lessons of 27 years ago - United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, 2021
• The massacre was encouraged by the local media, in particular, Radio Télévision Libre des Mille Collines (RTLM), a popular radio station, and Kangura, a magazine.
• In 2014, South Africa expelled three Rwandan diplomats over a suspected assassination plot against Rwandan opposition members living in exile in Johannesburg. This was a significant diplomatic fallout over Rwanda's actions post the 1994 genocide, and one of the clearest indications of South Africa's stance on Rwanda's alleged political assassinations.

In the News and Trending in South Africa for International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda

Top things to do in South Africa for this observance

• Watch UNESCO's panel discussion From Hate Speech to Genocide: lessons from the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
• Explore several photo exhibits curated by survivors.
• Visit the Apartheid Museum: Located in Johannesburg, this museum helps visitors understand the profound effects of racial discrimination and reminds them of the similar kind of racial violence that led to the Rwandan Genocide.
• Read a book to learn more about 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda in South Africa:
  We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families - Philip Gourevitch.
  Machete Season: The Killers in Rwanda Speak - Jean Hatzfeld.
  A People Betrayed: The Role of the West in Rwanda's Genocide - by Linda Melvern.