April 7th is the official commemoration day of the genocide in Rawanda, marking the horrific dark day in 1994 where 100 days of rape, shouting and killing started.
I went to one event and missed another. Jacqueline`s human rights corner, event was about commemoration and dialogue. Survivors told their story, activists shared what the have done, al in a very calmtone, not hatred was in the air just the pain, I was fascinated by Jacqueline, who committed herself as a survivor to prevent the next genocide, and buy Mary Kaytesi Blewitt that founded SURF, their ability to translate the pain and anger to good deeds is inspirational.
other spekers were Yvette Rugasaguhunga, Robert F Van Lierop and Taylor Krauss. It was moderated by Dr. John Woodall.
Few tears and thoughts came to my mind. The narrative, the faces and the described methods of mass killing were too familiar for someone who went through the Israeli Holocaust Education system, and just because of that extremely painful.
We promised NEVER AGAIN.
But it happened again and we didnt do much.
Not in 1994 in Rwanda.
Not now with Darfur.
Definitely not by closing the only clinic that assists the refugees in Tel Aviv.
I am joining Shuki with his appeal and urging you ,my dear readers, to do something about it.
They deserve medical care.
They are refugees.
How can we stand on their blood andargue this has nothing to do with us??
We are spilling some blood here.
Not Jewish blood, but who said our blood is better? Is that why we are ignoring the refugees from Darfur???
We should stop.
Never again, right???
The other event is this:
NEW YORK STUDENTS UNITE TO CALL FOR AIDS RELIEF FOR RWANDAN GENOCIDE SURVIVORS
(NEW YORK, 7th April 2008) Students from across New York united in Washington Square Park to read the testimonies of Rwandan survivors to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide and to call on the Office of the US Global AIDS Coordinator to recognize HIV+ survivors in Rwanda as an at-risk population eligible for antiretroviral treatment.
Students from New York University, Columbia University, Yeshiva University, along with local high schools, each read one of 100 testimonies of young survivors, many of whom were girls raped and infected with HIV and AIDS during the genocide, in The Reading of the Testimonies NYC. It is estimated that almost 3,000 people passed through the square during the four-hour event, which served to reach a wider public to inform and educate more people about the genocide.
The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) currently recognizes prisoners but not survivors as an at-risk population for priority for antiretroviral (ARV) treatment. Despite the fact that many survivors are HIV+ today due to a systematic program of rape and deliberate infection during the genocide, many are denied access to the treatment available to the men that raped them. The campaign launched at The Reading of the Testimonies NYC calls on the Office of the US Global AIDS Coordinator, which sets the policy of PEPFAR, to recognize the plight of survivors and to ensure that they are given equal access to HIV and AIDS counselling, testing and treatment.
The testimonies, which were read consecutively from 10am to 2pm, were supplemented by talks from New York based survivors including Jacqueline Murekatete and Marie-Claudine Mukamabano, as well as Rwandans working to support survivors including Mary Kayitesi Blewitt and Gasana Mutesi. All spoke on the importance of commemorating the genocide and the importance of the event in New York in demonstrating solidarity and support for the cause of the survivors.
Mary Kayitesi Blewitt OBE, Founder of SURF, who lead the event commented:
“Last month, a conference was convened in Canada by genocide revisionists questioning, downplaying and even denying the genocide – reinforcing the importance of today’s act of remembrance. The Reading of the Testimonies NYC not only serves to remember the victims, but by giving a voice to survivors also serves as a call on the Office of the US Global AIDS Coordinator to recognize HIV+ survivors as an at-risk population for antiretroviral treatment. With the Reading of the Testimonies NYC, we ask that the right of HIV+ survivors for equal access to antiretroviral treatment is recognized in the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.”
She added:
“There is no simple way of enacting justice, but by securing access to AIDS Relief then at least women survivors can look forward again to a future. The support that New York students demonstrated today to remember the victims of the genocide, and to support the survivors call for AIDS Relief, is another step towards securing justice for survivors.”
The event was the first outdoor event to be held in New York commemorating the genocide. The event was staged in association with an array of organizations working to support survivors in New York, including Jacqueline’s Human Rights Corner, Kuki Ndiho, Foundation Rwanda, Voices of Rwanda, Agahozo Shalom Youth Village, Amani Africa, Orphans of Rwanda, Wagner Student Alliance for Africa and Wagner International Public Service Association.
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