Statement by Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield on Kwibuka 29
United States Mission to the United Nations
Office of Press and Public Diplomacy
For Immediate Release
April 7, 2023
29 years ago an unimaginable horror happened. During 100 days of terror in Rwanda, hundreds of thousands of Tutsis have been murdered in genocide – violence instigated by hate speech against minority communities. The Hutu and Twa who dared to oppose these crimes were also killed.
Today we join the people of Rwanda on pause for Kwibuka – 100 days of mourning to mourn the innocent victims. We stand by the survivors who witnessed these horrific crimes. We honor the courage of those who stood up and spoke out to stop the killing, fear and hate.
My Foreign Service career includes serving as Regional Refugee Coordinator in Rwanda in 1994 at the start of the genocide. Decades later, it is remarkable to reflect on the tremendous transformation that the people of Rwanda have undergone.
The United States is proud to stand by the people and government of Rwanda in their efforts to overcome the horrific legacy of one of the darkest chapters in human history. We commend Rwanda for choosing to seek justice for the victims, which has helped to heal the deepest wounds together and helped reconcile a nation.
As we stand against hate, let us renew our commitment to the UN Charter to ensure mass atrocities like these never happen again.
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