By Dolapo Aina

The International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of The Holocaust was held at the Kigali Genocide Memorial on Thursday, 25th of January 2024. This year’s event which was well attended by Ambassadors and diplomats stationed in Rwanda; Rwandans and other nationalities residing in Rwanda was quite solemn vis-à-vis the current war between Israel and Hamas.

The evening commenced with Rabbi Michael Miller (former Executive Vice President and CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York) opening proceedings with prayers.

Germany’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Ambassador Heike Uta Dettmann, who was emotional, stated in her brief speech: “We remember. On January 27, the world commemorates the millions of victims of national socialism and the unspeakable crimes and murder committed against Jews, Sinti and Roma, homosexuals, the disabled, prisoners of war, people whose lives, racial madness had declared as “unworthy of living”. For Germans, this remembering is fundamental. It is a moral obligation. We remember.

“There are few survivors of the Holocaust only left who can tell their own stories. That is why keeping the memory alive is getting even more of a pressing issue with each passing year. Remembrance is important. But without drawing lessons learned from our past, remembrance will remain simply that: the past. Germany acknowledges this historical responsibility. “Never again” must actively be shaped every day.

“Therefore, Germany campaigns nationally and internationally against anti-Semitism. Still, it is a deplorable fact that today, many Jews feel that they cannot live their religion and culture in Germany free from security concerns. Anti-Semitism is on the rise in Germany, as are hate crimes against minorities going hand in hand with a heartbreaking lack of empathy with the victims of these crimes. This is one of the biggest challenges for our society and our democratic system. Against this background I feel even more humbled to be part of the Holocaust Remembrance Day in Rwanda. A commemoration that is generously hosted by the Kigali Genocide Memorial which itself is a unique place of remembrance, the final resting place of 250,000 people who in Kigali fell victim to the genocide against the Tutsi. I am most impressed by the Rwandan way to face up to the memories of the Genocide against the Tutsi and to walk the difficult path of reconciliation. It is an honour for me to speak to you at this venue.”

The United Nations Resident Coordinator for Rwanda Dr Ozonnia Ojielo in his speech stated that “I am deeply honoured to join the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust, within the solemn walls of the Kigali Genocide Memorial. As we gather on this occasion, we collectively reflect on the theme “A Lost World: The Destruction of the Jewish Communities.” It is incumbent upon us to acknowledge the interconnectedness of our stories and the shared responsibility we bear in preserving the memory of atrocities, while tirelessly working towards a world free from the shackles of hatred and intolerance.”

He further stated that: “The Holocaust, a dark chapter in human history, reminds us of the profound impact that prejudice and discrimination can have on individuals and entire communities. The genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda a mere few decades ago stands as a stark testament that the lessons of the Holocaust transcend time and place; they are universal lessons resonating across borders, cultures, and generations. The resilience displayed by the Israeli people in the aftermath of such a profound tragedy serves as an inspiration for us all. As we remember the Holocaust, we pay homage to the survivors and their remarkable ability to rebuild their lives and communities. Their narratives underscore the significance of solidarity, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring that such atrocities never stain the fabric of humanity again. In the midst of unimaginable horrors, we draw strength from the countless stories of resilience and courage – from enduring friendships forged in concentration camps to those who risked their lives to provide shelter and refuge. The survivors of the Holocaust, who found beauty and meaning in life after enduring the worst of humanity, remind us of the indomitable human spirit.”

The UN Resident Coordinator posited that: “Rwanda, too, has stood as a global example, demonstrating the transformative power of reconciliation and unity in the face of unspeakable horrors. The journey towards healing and rebuilding has been arduous, but the progress made stands as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the potential for positive transformation, even in the darkest of times.”

Preventing another Holocaust necessitates addressing intricate issues related to human rights, tolerance, and international cooperation. Two primary categories for focused action are: Education and Awareness: Promoting Education about Genocides: Implementing comprehensive educational programs that teach the history of past genocides, including the Holocaust, is essential. This education should emphasize the consequences of hatred, discrimination, and the dehumanization of any group. Fostering Tolerance and Understanding: Encouraging educational initiatives that promote tolerance, empathy, and understanding among diverse communities is vital. It involves teaching critical thinking and encouraging open discussions about different cultures, religions, and perspectives.

Also, International Cooperation and Human Rights Protection: Strengthening International Institutions: Reinforcing international organizations like the United Nations and its agencies to actively address and prevent human rights violations and abuses is crucial. Diplomatic efforts, good offices, peacekeeping missions, sanctions, and prosecutions against those promoting hatred, discrimination, and violence are essential components.

And also, global commitment to human rights: encouraging nations worldwide to commit to protect and uphold universal human rights is vital. All human rights are equal. This involves diplomatic pressure, economic sanctions, and other measures against governments or entities that engage in or support activities leading to human rights violations or potential genocides.
The speech by Ambassador Einat Weiss who is Israel’s Ambassador to Rwanda wen thus: “I am standing here today, on this stage, at the very heart of a humane tragedy that took place in recent history. I’m humbled. I’m sad. I’m confused. And I’m scared. 81 years passed from the time the Nazis officially launched their systematic campaign of destroying and demolishing Jewish civilization. 81 years have passed and we have awakened to the worst possible nightmare which started on October 7th and has rippled through the world since then. A Tsunami of anti-Semitism, hate, racism all out, photographed, aired and non-apologetic is taking place as we gather here today. It’s taking strongholds all over the world. It has different size and shapes. It can be overt and public, or covert-sneaky-and undetected. It can be a chant, discriminatory behaviour, a boycott, or even a full-fledge violence. One thing is sure– Anti-Semitism is here. Not behind closed doors, not as a minor act, but a real threat to Jews all over the world.”

Ambassador Einat Weiss went further: “On October 7th the citizens of Israel had woken up to the darkest day in their modern history. Not since the holocaust, had my people gone through the horrors that we witnessed this day. We realized that there is no safe haven for us. That even in our own country that we established on piles of ashes and blood, that we fought and still are; to have, the only small Jewish country in the world, is not safe. We realized that forever the slaughtering knife will hover above our heads. The horror stories that are still coming out from this day are unfathomable; rape, sexual abuse, beheading, arson. Kids that were baked in ovens in front of their parents, families that were burnt alive, women who were tied naked to trees and families that were kidnapped, separated and abolished. It wasn’t a god sent curse. It was an act that was perpetrated by so-called humane-beings. By a terror organization that designed, planned and executed one of the worst genocidal acts of modern history. Hamas, is a terror organization, that openly calls in its charter to destroy Israel and the Jewish communities. Unlike what many led themselves to believe, Hamas will not discriminate between Israelis and any other Jew. Its higher goal is to eliminate all. It is not a liberation group, it’s an anti-Semitic terror group. Don’t get it wrong if the world continues to give it the legitimacy it still gets today, he will continue with this exact goal. As we commemorate the International Remembrance Day of the Holocaust, it is ever so important to remind us all that it was not just a historical event; it was a catastrophic breach of humanity’s moral code. Six million Jewish men, women, and children were systematically persecuted and murdered. Their stories serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of prejudice, discrimination, and unchecked hatred.

“Every year, and this year is not an exception, we hear the testimonies of the survivors. We do it so we never forget. We do it to understand what were the conditions that created the platform for the rise of Hitler. We do it to respect them and their lost ones, and remind ourselves their heroism and unbelievable mental capabilities. And we do it so we shall never forget. All of us. All humanity. The events that took place through and after October 7th, reminded us that all these years that we had clung to the saying “never again” like a child cling to his mother hand, we were deluding ourselves. I belong to the generation that grew up on this saying. The third generation. The Sabras. We were born in the Jewish state. We grew up on our grandparents’ stories. All this time believing that the we are safe. That the Holocaust will never happen again. Something that belongs to the past; like a yellow page in an old book. One of the hardest realisations, the shutter of all believes; it can happen again.”
Ambassador Einat Weiss who was solemn in her speech stated that one thing is sure, Antisemitism is here. It was not a God-sent cause. It was a plan hatched by human beings.

Rabbi Michael Miller during his speech stated that: “I never expected that after speaking on The Holocaust that I would be doing same on the Continent of Africa. What human being would kidnap human beings and keep them fifty metres below ground? Have we done enough, so that never again would just not be a slogan but a commitment? Action is the only remedy to indifference. It is not sufficient to come to commemoration. It is not sufficient to have the education. What is sufficient and important is what we do with the education. To ensure we remember, we need to be actively engaged, to ensure that we never forget.”

Minister Dr. Jean Damascene Bizimana, Minister of Unity and Civic Engagement of the Republic of Rwanda also gave a brief speech emphasising the importance of commemorating The Holocaust and The 1994 Genocide Against The Tutsi.

An online testimony by Ms. Rena Quint, a Holocaust Survivor was viewed by the audience during the event. A performance by Mashirika Troupe titled Clouding Memories was performed whilst Ms. Nayim recited a poem by Hayim Nahman Bialik; the Israeli National Poet.