As the world marks the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres calls on all states and societies to reaffirm their commitment to human rights, justice, and dignity.
In a message shared on April 7, Guterres stressed that the genocide was neither accidental nor chaotic—it was a calculated, premeditated act of mass murder.
“The 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda was not a spontaneous frenzy of horrendous violence,” he said. “It was intentional. It was premeditated. It was planned.”
His message serves as a global reminder of the consequences of unchecked hate and division. “This terrible period of Rwanda’s history reminds us that no society is immune from hate and horror,” he noted.
As the United Nations marks its 80th anniversary this year, Guterres reiterated the founding values of the organization, which emerged in the aftermath of genocide.
“We recommit to the purposes and principles on which we were founded: the equality, dignity, and worth of every member of our human family.”
He called on all countries and communities to actively uphold these values, as enshrined in the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”, by promoting the dignity of all and standing firm against any form of discrimination or division.
“Every state, and every part of society, must deliver on the premise… to promote the human rights and dignity of all,” he said.
Guterres concluded with a powerful appeal for global vigilance and action: “Let all of us commit to be vigilant, to act, and work together to build a world of justice and dignity for all – in honour of all the victims and survivors of the genocide in Rwanda.”
In 2003, the United Nations officially designated April 7 as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, urging the world to remember the victims, support survivors, and take action to prevent future atrocities.
By Prince Ruzigana / The Kaminuza Star