U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon sent a message driven by an experience he had before being appointed Secretary-General. On a visit to Rwanda last year, he had the opportunity to sit and talk with the victims and survivors of the Rwandan genocide. An experience, he says had a profound and personal impact on him. "I had an opportunity to sit down and talk with those who had endured one of humankind's darkest chapters", he said.
The message he is sending, never to forget and never to stop working to prevent another genocide is to be given form through the strengthening of two mechanisms - the Advisory Committee on Genocide Prevention and upgrading the post of Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide to a full-time position.
Stress was given to the protocol on prevention and punishment of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity contained within the historic "Pact on Security, Stability and Development for the Great Lakes Region" and Secretary-General Ban says he profoundly hopes the protocol will be ratified soon. In the meantime, a show of unity among the countries of the Great Lakes region is a sign that African countries can come together regionally as well as nationally to ensure that future generations can "live together."
In remembrance of those who died, the U.N. Secretary-General stated, "Today, our thoughts go to the victims - the more than 800,000 innocent people who lost their lives with terrifying speed. May they continue to rest in peace." The U.N. family - peacekeepers and civilians who lost their lives in the line of duty as the genocide unfolded were also remembered.
Elisa Burchett
U.N. OBSERVER & International Report
Please also see:
Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide
http://www.un.org/Depts/dpa/prev_genocide
International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda http://www.ictr.org
The message he is sending, never to forget and never to stop working to prevent another genocide is to be given form through the strengthening of two mechanisms - the Advisory Committee on Genocide Prevention and upgrading the post of Special Adviser for the Prevention of Genocide to a full-time position.
Stress was given to the protocol on prevention and punishment of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity contained within the historic "Pact on Security, Stability and Development for the Great Lakes Region" and Secretary-General Ban says he profoundly hopes the protocol will be ratified soon. In the meantime, a show of unity among the countries of the Great Lakes region is a sign that African countries can come together regionally as well as nationally to ensure that future generations can "live together."
In remembrance of those who died, the U.N. Secretary-General stated, "Today, our thoughts go to the victims - the more than 800,000 innocent people who lost their lives with terrifying speed. May they continue to rest in peace." The U.N. family - peacekeepers and civilians who lost their lives in the line of duty as the genocide unfolded were also remembered.
Elisa Burchett
U.N. OBSERVER & International Report
Please also see:
Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide
http://www.un.org/Depts/dpa/prev_genocide
International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda http://www.ictr.org