International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is commemorated by UNESCO on April 07, every year.
Context
International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is commemorated by UNESCO on April 07, every year.
About 1994 Rwanda Genocide
- 1994 Rwanda Genocide was the genocide against the Tutsi community directed by members of the Hutu majority government during the 100-day period from 7 April to 15 July 1994.
- About 85% of Rwandans were Hutus and the Tutsi minority has long dominated the country.
- In 1959, the Hutus overthrew the Tutsi monarchy and tens of thousands of Tutsis fled to neighbouring countries, including Uganda.
- A group of these Tutsi exiles formed a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF).
- The RPF invaded Rwanda in 1990 and fighting continued until a 1993 peace deal was agreed.
- On 6th April, a plane carrying then-President Juvenal Habyarimana, and his counterpart Cyprien Ntaryamira of Burundi, both Hutus, was shot down which killed everyone on board.
- Hutu extremists blamed the RPF and immediately started a well-organised campaign of slaughter whereas the RPF said the plane had been shot down by Hutus to provide an excuse for the genocide.
History
- The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2003.
- The day commemorates the beginning of the genocide perpetrated against members of the Tutsi minority by the Hutu extremist-led government.
- Within just over 100 days, more than 1 million Tutsi were systematically murdered.
- Moderate Hutu and others who opposed the massacres were also killed during this period.
