Message from Pax Christi on 30th anniversary of Rwanda genocide

Message of Hope to the People of Rwanda by Pax Christi International's Co-Presidents:
Rejoice! - 'Behold I come to make all things new' (Rev. 21:5)

Today, the 7th of April, we remember Rwanda in a very special way. We thank God for the hope brought to this great nation for the last 30 years after communities that had lived as one, one day lifted their hands not to protect each other but to shed blood and kill their sisters and brothers. As we thank God for the efforts to rebuild this great nation, Rwanda again, similar to the case of the bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the world may have moved on, and long forgotten the pain, destruction of both lives and infrastructure; but the reality is that rebuilding of lives, forgiveness and reconciliation is a lifelong process that is only built through true and loving relationships of both friends and enemies but not through machetes, weapons and drones.

While walking this journey 30 years on, there are key questions we need to ask ourselves…

Which lessons did we learn or can learn from the Rwanda genocide?

Why do we still experience 'discomfort', 'silence' and sometimes 'indifference' when similar atrocities are witnessed in countries where humanity is at war of destruction with its own self, others and the environment?

Why, in our watch, are sisters and brothers brutalising, maiming, engaging in denial of people's freedom of movement and ownership of land that would ensure a future for today and future generations, all these done in the name of 'seeking justice, promoting peace and securing borders'?

Why the 'indifference' and 'compromise' in the case of long enchained occupied territories denying people of their rights to freedom and a place to call home and continual brutalisation of mainly children, women and men (Israel/Palestine); killings, widespread forced migration leading to humanitarian aid crisis (Goma in the Democratic Republic of Congo); gun-wielding militias freedom to brutalise, kill and deny people freedom to search for their livelihoods (Haiti); xenophobic and racist attacks in South Africa and the United States of America respectively? The list is endless…

Let us pause, live these realities in our own hearts and listen to God's call 'Where is your brother and sister?' 'Listen! Your brother's and sister's blood are crying out to me from the ground (Genesis 4:9-10); that brother and sister who is dehumanised and killed physically, emotionally, psychologically, structurally, and culturally.

Thus, today, 30 years in post-genocide Rwanda, despite the progress in rebuilding both the people and the country, the brokenness and hidden wounds leave one with many unanswered questions. How do we ensure a peaceful and just future for today and future generations? How do we rebuild lives and relationships with each other again? What is Christ's message to the people of Rwanda and to us, to the international community and the whole world? To all whose only voice and strength is in the drums of war and violence? Let us follow God, our great Healer and Reconciler, who has shown us the way to true justice and peace; first through the Prophets and then through His own Son, Jesus. In the book of the Prophet Isaiah 58: 6-9; 12. God invites us to break 'Loose the chains of injustice, … untie the cords of the yoke… set the oppressed free … break every yoke'; share the food with the hungry, … shelter the homeless poor, … not to turn away from one's own kin (6-8); assures us of being with us if we walk in this path (9).

It is crucial to recognize that there were differentiated responsibilities in the genocide, to overcome the horror that both the direct victims and we, the universal community, still feel. The victims hope that silence will no longer be prolonged, that the re-victimization that makes peaceful reconstruction impossible will not continue, that the truth calms the consciences and heal the suffering, and that it will allow social cohesion to be rebuilt, based on historical truth.

Let us pray and walk with the people of Rwanda as they continue their journey of working towards true justice and peace in their own new realities of pain and hope. Jesus has shown us the way, the way of being and living in nonviolent ways with each other even those we consider 'our enemies', through his life, death and resurrection; taught us what true love, justice and peace are; what it is to be the Good Samaritan (Luke; 10:30-37) and 'rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes' (Isaiah; 58:12).

In the commemoration of the thirty years of the genocide in Rwanda, which replicates the horror that many peoples have suffered throughout history, it is necessary to acknowledge this responsibility, so that the legacy of history is not lost.

Pax Christi International will continue contributing to this memory, out of respect for the victims and their surviving family members. Let's continue our path against forgetting and denial of responsibility, for the dignity of Rwandese and healing of trauma, based on justice, reparation, and truth in Rwanda!