Context
International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda is commemorated by UNESCO on April 07, every year.
About 1994 Rwanda Genocide
- 1994 Rwanda Genocide was the genocide against the Tutsi community directed by members of the Hutu majority government during the 100-day period from 7 April to 15 July 1994.
- About 85% of Rwandans were Hutus and the Tutsi minority has long dominated the country.
- In 1959, the Hutus overthrew the Tutsi monarchy and tens of thousands of Tutsis fled to neighbouring countries, including Uganda.
- A group of these Tutsi exiles formed a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF).
- The RPF invaded Rwanda in 1990 and fighting continued until a 1993 peace deal was agreed.
- On 6th April, a plane carrying then-President Juvenal Habyarimana, and his counterpart Cyprien Ntaryamira of Burundi, both Hutus, was shot down which killed everyone on board.
- Hutu extremists blamed the RPF and immediately started a well-organised campaign of slaughter whereas the RPF said the plane had been shot down by Hutus to provide an excuse for the genocide.
History
- The day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2003.
- The day commemorates the beginning of the genocide perpetrated against members of the Tutsi minority by the Hutu extremist-led government.
- Within just over 100 days, more than 1 million Tutsi were systematically murdered.
- Moderate Hutu and others who opposed the massacres were also killed during this period.
