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It is an honour and a privilege to be invited to participate in this exceptional programme to
commemorate the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in
Rwanda. I wish to thank Ambassador Nduhungirehe and the Rwandan Embassy in the Netherlands
for allowing me to present this message.
On this solemn occasion, we come together to reflect on one of the most gruesome atrocities
committed in modern history. It is difficult for the human brain to fathom the volume and scale of
Rwanda’s loss whereby every single man, woman, and child who fell at the hands of génocidaires
represented an entire world.
Although the global health pandemic prevents us once again from meeting in person, that does not
make this day less significant or powerful. People all over the world are commemorating with you –
you are not alone. As I address you from my home in The Hague, far away from Rwanda, let me
assure you that the Rwandan people are ever more present in my heart and in my mind. It is of
paramount importance that we keep the spirit of Kwibuka living on in perpetuity. While this
remembrance plays an essential role in ensuring that momentum is not lost in bringing to account
the remaining perpetrators of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, it also aids in countering
those who add insult to injury, who commit an additional heinous crime against the victims of these
atrocities – those engaged in genocide denial.
Genocide denialism is not a new phenomenon. Sadly, history has taught us that as surely as night
follows day, denialism follows the depraved act of genocide. The concept manifests itself in a
number of different ways, the twisting of reality, the glorification of convicted criminals, the
justification of the unjustifiable, and revisionism. It is also not simply the denial of facts, but a
distortion of the truth. In the digital society we live in, with access to countless unverifiable sources
of information, the concept of “alternative facts” has become all too pervasive, and denialism
thrives. Although the world’s interconnectivity via social media brings us closer together, it also
serves as a platform to enable this despicable practice. Through social media, génocidaires and their
supporters have access to an unlimited audience to promote their outrageous narrative. They will
stop at nothing in their attempts to erase or revise the past. If we are not vigilant, the tiniest of
untruths that is allowed to go unchallenged will multiply and spread, and become even more
difficult to rectify in the future. Therefore, all right-thinking people must counter the misguided
arguments of the genocide deniers with equal, if not greater intensity to ensure that the truth
prevails and lessons are learned. Only facts can fight lies, and we must stand united to ensure that
the facts are being heard.
I wish to recall the words of Kofi Annan back in 1994: “In the face of genocide, there can be no
standing aside, no looking away, no neutrality – there are perpetrators and there are victims; there is
evil and there is evil's harvest.” This must also apply to genocide denial – the inaction of the
international community, but also of every individual, when confronted with such denial would be
tantamount to complicity in creating an alternate reality. It would further abet the dehumanisation of
the survivors and strip them of both recognition and justice. Denialism does not only inflict
additional pain and suffering on the victims of the genocide, it delays reconciliation and is an
overall danger to peace and security.
Moreover, genocide denial is a direct threat to international justice and the rule of law. The ICTR
was established not only to bring justice to the victims, but also to contribute to the process of
national reconciliation and to the restoration and maintenance of peace. The Tribunal, which closed
its doors in December 2015, indicted 93 individuals suspected of being among the most responsible
for the 1994 Genocide. In the course of its existence, it established beyond reasonable doubt the
horrific events that the people of Rwanda, and Rwanda as a nation, endured 27 years ago. Another
critical aspect of the ICTR’s legacy is that today we can no longer claim the absence of structures to
pursue justice, or a lack of jurisprudence that we may consult. We must use these instruments to
prevent an erosion of the gains that have been made in the fight against impunity. In this regard, I
am pleased to share with you that the Mechanism has now completed the Kinyarwanda translations
of all remaining ICTR trial judgements, and is in the process of making them accessible so that
these judgements will be available in the language of, and for, the Rwandan people.
Historians may deliberate over the inaction of the international community during those dark days.
Scholars may engage in extended discourse on the time it takes for international criminal justice to
be administered. But thanks to the resolve and compelling evidence provided by witnesses to the
ICTR and the clear judgements that resulted from their testimony, what will never be up for debate
is the fact that genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes were perpetrated in Rwanda in
1994. Lies written in ink (or on social media) will not erase facts written in blood. Indeed, the ICTR
judgements are filled with facts written in blood.
I reiterate that having established this as an objective fact, it is important to confront the denialists
and call evil by its name. We must do this, not simply to set the record straight and to deliver justice
to the victims, but because it is the right thing to do. Because it is the least we can do to ensure that
the uncountable souls who perished did not die in vain. Of this there can be no denial.
Therefore, rest assured that the Mechanism remains as committed as ever to succeed in its mandate
and to carry on protecting the legacy of the ICTR.
Thank you and please stay safe.
