UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- The UN General Assembly on Friday adopted a resolution to change the name of an international day in memory of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The new resolution changes the designation of April 7 as "the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda" from the name of "the International Day of Reflection on the Genocide in Rwanda" as used by a December 2003 resolution.
In introducing the Rwandan-drafted resolution, Rwandan ambassador to the United Nations, Valentine Rugwabiza, told the General Assembly that the new text captures the historical facts of what happened in 1994, which is a genocide "against the Tutsi" and leaves no room for ambiguity.
"Historical accuracy and words are vital while referring to the genocide. The tactics of genocide denial and revisionism are well-known and documented. Some people, mostly those who were involved by action or omission, promote the theory of double genocide in the futile belief that such suggestion might divert their own responsibility," she said.
The resolution was adopted without vote. Yet it does not mean that the move was without reservations from delegates.
Kelley Currie, the U.S. representative, said that changing the title of the resolution "does not fully capture the magnitude of the genocide and of the violence committed against other groups."
Hutus and people from other groups were also murdered for their opposition to the atrocities against Tutsis, she noted.
"We will not stand in the way of changing the title of the resolution. We believe it is important to understand that our understanding of the circumstances of the genocide has not narrowed."
The EU representative at the General Assembly also regretted the lack of consultations over such an important matter.
The Rwandan genocide was committed by members of the Hutu majority government. An estimated 500,000 to 1 million Rwandans were brutally murdered during 100 days from April 7 to mid-July 1994, the overwhelming majority of the victims being Tutsis.
