Sir, – This weekend marks the 25th anniversary of one of the 20th century’s worst atrocities, when up to one million people in Rwanda were murdered in a genocide.
We should never forget the horrors that unfolded over 100 days, beginning in April 1994. Today, Rwanda is a country transformed. In the land of a thousand hills, many who killed their neighbours in Rwanda’s genocide 25 years ago now live side by side with relatives of the dead. Speech that creates ethnic divisions has been banned. Local courts have allowed many perpetrators to be released from prison in return for confessions and expressions of remorse. Reconciliation and unity programmes have changed lives as communities with immense courage have chosen to move on and create a space for healing.
Life expectancy has more than doubled to 68 years. Economic growth consistently reaches 8 per cent annually. Between 2000 and 2015, it achieved the highest average annual reduction in both the under-five mortality rate and the maternal mortality ratio in the world. A generation of young people who grew up after the mass killings embody the hope of a new Rwandan people.
Progress in this densely populated, landlocked country is not without significant challenges. Agencies like Trócaire work with communities to combat climate change induced floods and drought.
The majority of the people are subsistence farmers reliant on the land for survival. The government retains tight control over many aspects of life for ordinary people, including freedom of expression.
Nonetheless, a people that lived through unimaginable horrors 25 years ago have managed to achieve incredible progress. This progress has been supported by people all over Ireland, whose generosity and humanity have allowed a country to rise from the ashes of terror.
On behalf of the communities Trócaire works with in Rwanda, I would like to thank your readers for their role in allowing the people of this beautiful country to build a new future. – Yours, etc,
CAOIMHE DE BARRA,
Chief Executive,
Trócaire,
Maynooth, Co Kildare.