Scholars to discuss ‘Never again’ pledge in US meeting

Genocide scholars and academics in North America are set to hold discussions on what is widely known as “preventable genocides” while challenging the international community to revisit the yet to be fulfilled promise of ‘Never again.’ This will be during a special commemoration programme scheduled to take place in Washington D.C from April 7 to 8, during the 18th remembrance of the Genocide against the Tutsi. This will be North America’s 18th commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi.Rwandans and friends of Rwanda in North America will assemble to remember the lives of over one million people who were killed during the Genocide.Under this year’s theme: “Let’s learn from our history to shape a bright future,” participants will have the opportunity to learn through discussions ranging from the history of the Genocide, the role of media and literature in the Genocide, Genocide denial and survivors needs today.“At a time when the denial of the Genocide against the Tutsi is on the rise, the Rwandan community in North America has strengthened its efforts to preserve the history of Genocide,” Yvette Nyombayire Rugasaguhunga, the coordinator of the organising committee, told The New Times last Friday.“As a result, more and more Rwandans and friends of Rwanda are coming together to challenge the Genocide deniers and more survivors are speaking about their Genocide experiences. This commemoration will be a unique opportunity to better address the growing movement of Genocide denial through survivors’ and experts’ voices,” she commented.Carl Wilkens, an acclaimed human rights activist and the only American who chose to remain in Rwanda as the 1994 Genocide unfolded, risking his life to deliver food, water, and money to those in need, will deliver the keynote speech.Other notable speakers include the Executive Director of the USC Shoah Foundation, Dr Stephen Smith; Genocide scholar, James Waller; Author, Dr Margee Ensign; International law scholar, Dr Zachary Kaufman; Chief Executive Officer of Aegis Trust, Dr James Smith, and the former spokesman for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), Dr Tim Gallimore.The event will also feature survivors including Console Nishimwe, Dr Egide Karuranga and Immaculee Ilibagiza, as well as other Rwandan activists including Dr Chrysologue Gakuba, Mathilda Mukantabana and Dr Rangira Bea Gallimore.Rugasaguhunga, also a survivor, said that Dr Smith will analyse the Genocide against Tutsi and the Holocaust. Another survivor, Dr Karuranga, will discuss the impact of Genocide denial on survivors’ recovery while Dr Waller will share his findings on the behaviour of perpetrators.Another survivor who is based in Washington, Jacqueline Murekatete, thinks that Genocide denial and the revisionist movement is growing in North America and elsewhere in the World. Murekatete said: “But while Genocide denial deeply pains us, especially survivors, it should also not surprise us because genocide scholars show us that denial is the final stage in a Genocide process. As survivors and as Rwandans, in general, we are aware of this rise and are standing up from different corners of the world to make sure that the true story regarding the Genocide against the Tutsi is told around the world.“Organising commemoration programmes such as the one we are currently organising is one of the major weapons we have to fight this denial movement. In the end, there is no doubt that we will win this battle.”The programme will end with a walk to remember at the Washington D.C Mall, in memory of Genocide victims in Rwanda and worldwide.

National

Scholars to discuss ‘Never again’ pledge in US meeting