Editor, RE: “Genocide: Never Again is possible, but it’s everyone’s responsibility” (The New Times, March 11). In the global context the “Never Again” to genocide notion can’t stand because the world will always be divided along certain interests. A concerted effort to achieve this objective is not likely. Take the example of Burundi now, if any genocide broke out there, what and who would be ready to stop it? And by the way, do we realise that Genocide denial and the genocide ideology in the case of Rwanda is actually being fanned from outside (by governments, media, international bodies, etc.) and not from within Rwanda? Do we think these would be interested in stopping genocide if it ever reoccurred (God forbid)? In my opinion, the “Never Again” emblem only makes sense in the national context. For example, it is quite convincing that genocide will never happen again in Rwanda because of all the effort the people of Rwanda are putting into eradicating any possibility through all possible endeavors. By the way, the dead in the Genocide against the Tutsi are known by families and their own identities and the number is well over one million; why does the rest of the world, including UN, stick to over 800,000? Where does their figure come from? I feel it is an effort to belittle the seriousness of the Genocide against the Tutsi by way of trivializing it. I think we shouldn’t accept it. Our history should have correct figures and if it makes some feel more uncomfortable because of that it is their business. Those in position to do something about it, please petition this discrepancy. Donart (Figures indicate that at least 1,071,000 people died in the Genocide – Editor).
