The signatories of this declaration hereby conclude that the systematic and widespread attacks on Hutu population in both countries were characterized by a number of inculpatory elements that sufficiently constitute a crime of genocide.
The signatories hereby declare and recognise as a CRIME of GENOCIDE, the wholesale killings of hundreds of thousands of Rwandan Hutu population in Rwanda and of Rwandan Hutu refugees, Burundian Hutu refugees and Congolese Hutu citizens in DRC on the basis of their membership to hutu ethnic group and without regard to their age, gender or nationality by the Rwandan Patriotic army and its Congolese ally, the Alliance des forces démocratiques pour la libération du Congo-Zaïre (AFDL) rebel group.
There exist continuing efforts to conceal and deny crimes committed to members of Hutu ethnic group in Rwanda and in Democratic Republic of the Congo. Despite, this crime of genocide will continue to mark a dark side of 21st century. It is essential that this genocide be integrated in collective history of humankind.
Therefore, the signatories call upon the international community to fulfil their obligations under the Genocide Convention and act together to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Relevant internationals institutions and governments are hereby invited to recognise the Genocide perpetrated against the Hutu as a historical fact.
The signatories call upon relevant international institutions and governments:
- to fulfil their moral obligations and educate the world about this crime of genocide using various tools such as awareness raising events, exhibitions and memorial events,
- to fulfil their international obligations to ensure that genocide would never happen again,
- to take their Responsibility to Protect in order to ensure that survivors of the Genocide against Hutus who are still in unprotected camps in DRC, in Congo Republic and elsewhere where they are at risk of being victims of another similar genocide are protected,
to fulfill their obligations under the Genocide Convention and act together to create relevant justice and reconciliation instruments