African Union organizes Symposium on the 28^th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against Tusti in Rwanda

 “Remember-Unite-Renew” – Kwibuka28

The Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security (PAPS) of the African Union Commission (AUC) and the Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in Ethiopia and Permanent Mission to the African Union, in collaboration with the Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) organized the Symposium on the 28th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against Tusti in Rwanda under the theme “Remember-Unite-Renew”, on 16 June 2022 at the AU HQ. The overall purpose of the symposium is to awaken greater awareness of the African people, the academia and the international community about the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsis, its origins and the dangers of hate speech and genocide denial.

H.E. Amb. Bankole Adeoye, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union Commission, recalled that the symposium, which focuses on the prevention of genocide ideologies, genocide denial and hate speech, is part of the series of activities outlined to mark this year’s commemoration of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide against the Tutsi. “Apart from commemorating the 28^th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide, this symposium will also provide us the platform to address emerging threats to stability and national cohesion in our respective societies. These threats are usually manifest through hate speech, hate crimes, ethnic and religious intolerance, and the propagation of genocidal ideologies,” said Amb. Adeoye. He further urged all the media to avoid affording their platforms for the promotion of genocide and hate speech. “While remaining steadfast in ensuring the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of expression, our duty as African Union is to also help the AU Member States and their citizens find a balance in the exercise of this right, and in doing so within acceptable legal limits,” said Amb. Bankole Adeoye.

Amb. Bankole Adeoye concluded by saying “As part of its contribution to tackling the problem of genocide ideologies and how to address them, the outcome of this symposium is expected to dovetail into policy brief with recommendations on the way forward. One of the ways of ensuring in-depth policy recommendations is through a robust debate on the issues outlined in the program. I therefore invite participants in the audience to critically engage discussants on the issues, especially with a view to understanding the contexts, symptoms and exacerbating factors of genocide, and its promotion”.

In her opening remarks, H.E. Hope Tumukunde Gasatura, Ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU and UNECA, reminded that while the genocide constitutes the gravest crimes against humanity, it does not happen in isolation of other equally serious crimes that come before and after Genocide and that at each stage, preventable measures are possible.She continued that “This symposium is meant to raise voices against Genocide denials and hate speech as well as observed continued dangerous trends of rising xenophobia, racism and intolerance that have led, in many occasions, to widespread propagation of hate speech and incitement to violence”. She further reminded of the UN Strategy and Plan of Action on Hate Speech of 2019 that seeks to strengthen the UN response to the global phenomenon of hate speech and placing specific emphasis on the role of education as a tool for addressing and countering hate speech, while at the same time upholding legitimate freedom of expression and access to information. “Resolution 2150 of 2014 adopted by the Security Council at its 7155th meeting, condemned without reservation any denial of the crime of Genocide and urged Member States to develop educational programmes that will inculcate future generations with lessons of the Genocide in order to help prevent future atrocities,” further added Amb. Hope Tumukunde Gasatura.

Dr. Fana Gebresenbet, the Interim Director of the Institute for Peace and Security Studies (IPSS), Addis Ababa University in his opening remarks emphasized that “Through such commemorative events, we honour the lives lost and learn from the resilience of the Rwandan society and the transitional justice, reconciliation, and nation-building process that Rwanda went through.” He urged Member States to address issues of hate speech and underlined the importance of early response to indicators of hate and discrimination in communities. “This Symposium will enable us to better understand all sorts of genocidal manifestations and take a common stance to combat them,” concluded Dr. Fana Gebresenbet.

It must be noted that all the speakers emphasized the need to raise voices against Genocide denials and hate speech, as well as observe continued dangerous trends of rising xenophobia, racism, and intolerance that have led, on many occasions, to a widespread propagation to hate speech and incitement to violence.

The event, which allowed for hybrid participation, both physically at the Nelson Mandela Hall and online via the Zoom digital platform, was attended by the top leadership of the AU Commission, representatives of AU Member States and the diplomatic corps in Addis Ababa, the AU and the UN, other intergovernmental organizations, and various civil society institutions as well as AU Commission staff.

For media inquiries, please contact:

1. Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org
2. Yonas Berhané  | Communications and Profile Management Coordinator, IPSS  | Tel: +251 930 821382 | Email: Yonas.b@ipss-addis.org
3. Sandrine Mwiliriza  Communications Officer, Embassy of the Republic of Rwanda in Ethiopia |
   Tel: +251 966 278295 | Email: Smwiliriza@embassy.gov.rw

Information and Communication Directorate, African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org
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