[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 57 (Monday, April 20, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S4437]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                                 RWANDA

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, while Congress was in recess, Rwanda 
commemorated the 15-year anniversary of the genocide. Fifteen years 
ago, a deliberate, centrally planned, and organized campaign of mass 
murder and rape was set in motion, which displaced millions and 
eventually took the lives of over 800,000 people. People were killed 
simply because of their ethnicity or political beliefs or an 
unwillingness to participate in the violence. The unspeakable acts of 
terror that ensued over those months in 1994 shocked the world, and yet 
the international community, including the United States, failed to 
act. The promises of ``never again'' rang hollow.
  Fifteen years later, Rwandans have come a long way to repair their 
lives and rebuild their institutions. I am pleased that the 
International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the Gacaca Courts 
continue to work to bring to justice those guilty of the most egregious 
crimes. Accountability is an essential step to promote healing for the 
survivors and to prevent a return to conflict in Rwanda. At the same 
time, I have been deeply moved that many survivors of this terror have 
been willing to forgive and live side by side with many of those who 
participated in it. Continuing to foster tolerance and openness, and 
ensure there is sufficient political space for dissent and discussion 
is critical to maintain future stability in Rwanda.
  As a Washington Post editorial recently noted, while the current 
Rwanda government has made impressive ``accomplishments in righting its 
country and improving basic services it continues to be intolerant of 
criticism.'' According to the State Department's reports and those of 
non-governmental organizations, there is a worrying pattern of 
repression in Rwanda against political opponents and civil society. 
Over the long run, suppression and intimidation can undermine security 
rather than protect it, forcing healthy debates into illicit channels, 
and casting doubt on the legitimacy of the prevailing order. If this 
pattern continues, it could intensify Rwanda's ethnic and social 
tensions, and ultimately lead to future conflicts.
  Rwanda has become a good friend and partner of the United States over 
the years, and our countries have worked together on many important 
joint initiatives. Most notably, they have become a leader on the 
African continent in responding to mass atrocities and contributing to 
peacekeeping operations. This is deeply inspiring given all that they 
have gone through, and we should continue to work with them to prevent 
future genocide and mass atrocity. However, we fail to be true friends 
to the people of Rwanda when we turn a blind eye to patterns of 
repression in their country, or fail to raise our voices in support of 
civil and political rights. As we remember those tragic events 15 years 
ago and commemorate those who perished, we should resolve to pay close 
attention to the present. The people of Rwanda deserve more than our 
regret; they deserve our support for their efforts to build a more 
just, more free and more secure future.

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