International Holocaust Remembrance Day

·      Nyakubahwa Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr Jean Damascene Bizimana (TBC)

·      Excellency Ambassador of the State of Israel, Dr. Ron Adam,

·      Excellency Ambassador of Germany, Dr. Thomas Kurz, (TBC)

·      Nyakubahwa Cardinal, Archbishop Antoine Kambanda (TBC)

·      Mr. Freddy Mutanguha, Executive Director of Aegis Trust

·      Dr. Serge Brammertz, Chief Prosecutor for the UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals 

·      Excellencies, Heads of Diplomatic Missions, and Development Partners present,

·      Distinguished speakers

·      Representatives of the Civil Society, the Private Sector, and the Media,

·      Dear Colleagues of the UN Rwanda Family,

·      Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, all protocols observed.

Good morning, Mwaramutse!

On the onset, I wish to appreciate the Government of Rwanda for accepting this commemoration to be held here and by supporting the organization of this event and for gracing it by its valuable presence through the Hon. Minister of National Unity and Civic Engagement, Dr Jean Damascene Bizimana and other Senior Government Officials. I would also like to express my deep gratitude and appreciation to His excellency the Ambassador of Israeli in Rwanda for the invitation and for the close collaboration in organising this event. I cannot forget to commend the Kigali Genocide Memorial and Aegis Trust for coordinating and hosting this important event.

In 2023, the theme guiding the United Nations Holocaust remembrance and education is “Home and Belonging”. It highlights the humanity of the Holocaust victims and survivors, who had their homes and sense of belonging ripped from them by the perpetrators of the Holocaust. The theme reminds us of our responsibility to respond with humanity to the victims of atrocity crimes, to counter hate speech, antisemitism, Holocaust distortion and denial, and prejudice – to do all we can to prevent genocide. In his message for this year commemoration, the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, said “We reflect on the millions of individual lives cut short; the millions of futures stolen away”.  As reflected by the UN SG, “we mourn the loss of so many and so much, but we also recognize that the Holocaust was not inevitable, and no genocide ever is”.

Distinguished guests:

Your presence today, is key in remembering the suffering and loss of the victims and honouring the many brave men and women who risked their lives to help those persecuted. It is also a testament of the continued spirit of solidarity and comfort with survivors globally – who were forced to adjust their ideas of “home” and “belonging” as they faced the violent, antisemitic onslaught during the Holocaust. Its also on such days that we re-affirm our commitment to “Never Again”.

The remembrance of the holocaust happening at the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center, is a reminder that despite the strong commitment of the world to never experience genocide again, only 50 years later after the Holocaust, humanity witnessed another frenzied killing during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda where a million of people were brutally killed, just because they were Tutsi, as that was the case for the Jews during the second world war. We must, therefore, never forget the tragedy of the Holocaust, and the genocide against the Tutsi, so that we use the lessons to create a better future. Yes, the Holocaust was not inevitable, and so was the genocide against the Tutsi. But the world failed humanity. What we can do is to honour the lost ones, to learn from our failures and to commit without reserve, to fighting genocide ideologies and walking the talk.  The UN System in Rwanda appreciate the good work done by Rwanda in preserving the memory of the genocide against the Tutsi and the success stories in uniting and reconciling the Rwanda society shattered by the genocide in 1994. We are happy that we have been part of this journey as UN system, in partnership with the Government, Civil Society Organisation and development partners. We all share this responsibility of saying “Never Again to genocide”.

Keeping the memory of the Holocaust alive is the fulfilment of a universal duty, a duty that leads to uprooting hatred, building peace, and, thus, protecting humanity. So, on this day, may we commit to always remembering. We owe it to the victims, to the survivors and most especially to the generations to come.

Honourable Minister, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen:

I think that it was hard for all of us to hold back our emotions when we were going through the exhibition and it will be the same after listening to you, Mr. Emil A. Fish. The images that got stuck in young minds, memories and the horrors that survivors witnessed. Such lengths of brutality to exterminate millions of people, based on their difference, taking humanity out of them, stripping them of all dignity, all identity, and all love for life. I cannot even imagine how hard it must be, for Mr. Emil A. Fish – representing all survivors of the holocaust, to bring these memories back to the surface. But your testimony which will be delivered shortly and your energy at 88 years shows that dignity, identity, and resilience are indestructible.

It's great that the young people are constructively engaged in such commemorations. We saw the youth at the exhibitions and will hear moving and inspiring poem from a young Fred. When young people know the history of such atrocities, their impact on the community and how hard the process of reconciliation is, they are able to stand on the shoulders of the older generation, nurture their role in educating others, fight ideologies and confront genocide deniers.

Hate speech and antisemitic imagery are proliferating across the internet and social media. With social media part of our lives today and mostly used by the young people, they ought to use it to educate themselves and others about genocide, which can be a great contribution towards preserving the memory and changing the mindset of fellow youth and most especially ordinary people with skewed ideologies and thus shaping future generations free of hatred and genocidal ideologies.

History shows us that genocide is facilitated by ordinary people. It’s the ordinary people that turn a blind eye, that believe propaganda, or that join murderous regimes. And still, it’s the ordinary people who are persecuted, oppressed and murdered in genocide, simply because they are ordinary people who belong to a particular group.

Excellencies,

Tackling the root causes of intolerance and denial of holocaust are  urgent priority of the UN. This commitment led to the adoption of  a resolution that condemns denial and distortion of the Holocaust and the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech.

As the UN system, we reiterate our commitment to be at the frontline of the battle against anti-Semitism and all other forms of hatred. That is the best way to build a future of dignity and equality for all – and the best way to honour the victims of the Holocaust - we will never forget them.

Honourable Minister, dear friends,

As I conclude, on behalf of the UN Family in Rwanda, I wish to sincerely thank the Government and the leadership of Rwanda for supporting this commemoration event.

Today and every day, let us recommit ourselves to the prevention of, and fight against, genocide and other atrocious crimes and to never be silent in the face of hatred, and never again to allow the world to relive the horror of the Holocaust.  As rightly said the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in his speech at the 2023 United Nations Memorial Ceremony marking the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust said, I quote “Today and every day, let us resolve to never again remain silent in the face of evil – and to always defend the dignity and rights of all.”

 I and the entire UN family, express our firm commitment to contributing to promoting just, peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, Leaving No One Behind.

Thank you for your kind attention. Best wishes of this year 2023.

Umwaka Mushya Muhire!

Murakoze Cyane! Turi Kumwe!