The United Nations(UN)’s International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is annually on 7th April to commemorate the beginning of the genocide perpetrated against members of the Tutsi minority by the Hutu extremist-led government.
- Every year on or around 7th April the UN organizes commemorative events at its Headquarters and at UN offices around the world.
- The 2022 commemorations are organized in partnership with the Permanent Delegation of Rwanda to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO).
The year 2022 marks the 28th anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
Background:
i.The United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) adopted the resolution A/RES/58/234 on 23rd December 2003 and designated the 7th April as the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda. 2004 marked the 10th anniversary of the genocide in Rwanda.
ii.Since 2004, the 7th April has been observed as the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda.
- Title of the Annual Observance Amended: In 2017, the UNGA adopted the resolution A/72/L.31 and proclaimed 7 April as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.
iii.The UNGA resolution A/RES/74/273 adopted on 20th April 2020 reaffirmed the 7 April as the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda and modified the title of the outreach programme to “outreach programme on the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda and the United Nations”.
Why April 7?
The date, 7th April, marks the beginning of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi minority by the Hutu extremist-led government.
1994 Rwandan Genocide:
i.The 1994 Rwandan genocide occurred between 7th April 1994 and 15th July 1994 during the Rwandan Civil War.
ii.During the 100 days long genocide, around 1 million members of the Tutsi minority ethnic group, as well as some moderate Hutu and Twa, were systematically murdered by armed militias.
2022 Commemorations:
i.As a part of the 28th anniversary of the 1994 genocide, UNESCO is set to organise a ceremony in memory of the victims that will take place on 21 April 2022.
ii.The ceremony will include high-level interventions from Audrey Azoulay, UNESCO Director-General, H.E. François-Xavier Ngarambe, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Rwanda to France, Permanent Delegate, and testimony from genocide survivors.
