Fintan Warfield (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Sunday marked the 25th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide, a 100-day period from 7 April to 15 July 1994, when approximately 800,000 Tutsi, or one tenth of the country's population, were killed. A further 2 million people were displaced and became refugees, exiled in Burundi, Tanzania and what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is a time for learning from these horrific events of the past and a time to remember those who were killed, maimed, physically or sexually assaulted, and displaced.

We should reflect on how xenophobia played a large role and how disparaging comments from Hutu extremists referring to the Tutsi as "cockroaches" influenced many in joining the genocidal efforts. Comments that refer to people of different races, nationalities and backgrounds as less than human or less than equal remain common today and are still uttered by world leaders who wish to stoke fear and spread hate for political gain. The former President, Mary Robinson, was one of the first Heads of State to visit Rwanda after the genocide. I welcome the statement of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Coveney, on Sunday and add my voice to his message from the people that we send our solidarity to the survivors, their children and all Rwandans. I have asked the Office of the Cathaoirleach and the Leader that we have a moment of reflection in silence at the end of the Order of Business to mark the 25th anniversary of this horrific tragedy.