7 April 2004 - The Department of Foreign Affairs announced today that the President has issued Proclamation No. 598 declaring Wednesday, 7 April 2004, a Day of National Reflection on the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda.

“The Filipino people join the people of Rwanda and all humanity in remembering the loss of many men, women and children during the genocide and other serious violations of international humanitarian law committed in Rwanda and in the territory of neighboring States between 1 January and 31 December 1994,” the Proclamation declared.

It will be recalled that the United Nations General Assembly in its Resolution 58/234 designated 7 April 2004 the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda. The resolution encouraged all Member States of the United Nations to observe the International Day, by undertaking special observances and activities in memory of the victims of the genocide in Rwanda.

“With the President’s proclamation, the Philippines joins the rest of the international community in observing the International day of Reflection, manifesting not only our absolute condemnation of genocide as a crime against all of humankind, but also our solidarity with the people of Rwanda and Africa in remembering the untold grief brought about by the 1994 genocide in Rwanda,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Delia Domingo Albert said.

“We would like to urge the Filipino people to heed the call of the Government of Rwanda and the United Nations Secretary General for the entire world to observe one minute of silence today, at 12 noon, in order that the human family can come together as one to reflect on the suffering endured in Rwanda a decade ago, and to resolve that genocide will never again be allowed to pass,” the Secretary said. - END