The world should take a stand against genocide ideology

Editor,  Reference is made to your article, “Genocide archives being tailor-made to benefit youth, ‘Never Again’ spirit” (The New Times, January 23).

Monday, January 27, 2014
Twenty-year olds receive the Kwibuka (Remembrance) Flame as it made its way to Nyange Secondary School in Ngororero District early this month on its first leg of a three-month nationwide tour ahead of the 20th anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. The New Times/Timothy Kisambira.

Editor,  Reference is made to your article, "Genocide archives being tailor-made to benefit youth, ‘Never Again’ spirit” (The New Times, January 23).That’s a fantastic initiative by Aegis Trust. It is a necessary repository for the Rwanda – or any other nation for that matter – as it strives to teach the youth, the older generations and the world in general, about its tragic history and the acute dangers of falling prey to the hateful discourse of those who only wish to divide and conquer through annihilation of whole population groups.In our human history, instances of this destructive nature abound: 16th century Southern America (native Americans), 18th century Northern America (slave trade) and the catastrophic 20th century with Armenians (1915), the Jewish Holocaust (2nd World War), Cambodians/’Red Khmers’ (1970’s), Rwandan Tutsis (1994), not to mention other cases which have not been labeled ‘genocide’ but could very well have been (Darfur, East Timor...).It is clear that history keeps repeating itself, despite collective affirmations that it will not. So archives and a continual awareness are essential. In that regard, an example that comes to mind is the ‘Yad Vashem Museum’ in Israel, which has done an inspirational work.Let all nations that have experienced the same tragedies embark on the same kind of constructive journey; To create a hopeful, peaceful, ‘united’ future for themselves and, by extension, for others.Diyana, Rwanda