UN chief calls for global partnership against genocide

Kigali, April 8:

Secretary General

Monday called for a global partnership against genocide, arguing the international community should have done much more to prevent killings.

Ban made the call in a speech to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Rwanda genocide during an event that took place in Kigali, Xinhua reported.

"Preventing genocide is a collective and individual responsibility. Let us build a global partnership against genocide. Let us protect populations from genocide when their own government cannot or will not," he said.

Ban said the UN has strengthened its mechanisms to avert a reoccurrence of such incident, by creating the post of special adviser for the Prevention of Genocide and Advisory Committee.

The UN chief also paid tribute to both the victims of the 1994 genocide and the survivors.

"Our thoughts go to the survivors. Their resilience continues to inspire us and they have shown the world that the transformation is possible," he said.

The genocide occurred between April and July 1994 when Hutu militia and others killed Tutsis and moderate Hutus by using machetes or guns in Rwanda.

IANS