Do you want to join the hundreds of people speaking out against genocide and its harmful effects in Rwanda? The National Campaign Against Genocide Museum in Rwanda contains a wealth of information on the causes and history of genocide.
Rwanda is blessed with various plants and animals, amazing landscapes, friendly people, and unique cultural traditions. Kigali, the capital city, is now one of the cleanest and most peaceful cities in Africa.
Thanks to the current Rwandan government, the country has moved past the atrocities committed during the 1994 genocide between the Hutu and Tutsi ethnic groups.
The Campaign Against Genocide Museum is one of the top places to visit in Rwanda, which has become a popular tourist destination in Africa.
According to the English dictionary, “genocide is the systematic killing of a large number of members of one nation or ethnic group with the intent to eliminate them.”
Genocide is an inhumane and barbaric act, a crime against humanity, and a war crime. It is something no one should experience in today’s world, where everyone deserves a safe home. This act was made illegal in 1948 after being presented as a legal concept by jurists.
Brief Facts About Genocide
The fight against genocide wasn’t widely recognized until the 1940s, when it became a legal concept, though only a few offenders have been prosecuted.
Polish Jew Raphael Lemkin and his colleague Douglas Irvin-Erickson, both international law jurists, realized that existing laws were not enough to stop political violence.
Lemkin tried to write new laws in 1933, but ten months later, Adolf Hitler became Germany’s chancellor and began enacting anti-Jewish laws. Lemkin then helped create the League of Nations, an international organization to promote peace.
Lemkin proposed that vandalism and barbarism be made illegal, but his idea was rejected. This forced him to flee Germany.
Genocide is defined as acts that result in the deaths of group members, prevent births within the group, cause serious mental or physical harm, or create living conditions that lead to the group’s destruction.
About the Campaign Against Genocide Museum
The Campaign Against Genocide Museum is one of eight museums in Rwanda. It was inaugurated in 2017 by Rwanda’s President, His Excellency Paul Kagame, and is managed by the Institute of National Museums of Rwanda.
It is located in Rwanda’s parliamentary complex, which was formerly the Conseil National de Développement. The museum tells the story of Rwanda during the 1994 Tutsi genocide.
Over 600 patriotic Rwandan soldiers were stationed in the parliamentary building from December 1993 to 1994 in preparation for the creation of the transitional government and National Assembly.
This is why the location was chosen for the museum. Exhibits reveal how the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA) carried out the campaign against genocide, especially in the absence of United Nations forces, which had withdrawn before the genocide began.
The museum describes the role of 600 RPA soldiers in rescuing victims. One exhibit shows a machine gun used by the RPA to stop the killers outside the parliament building.
The museum also highlights a traditional road point located about 800 meters behind the parliamentary avenue.
Best Time to Visit the Campaign Against Genocide Museum
The museum is open all year, with guides available to explain the genocide and its history. Visitors should check the museum’s calendar for significant dates and public holidays for better planning.
The museum is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but it is closed on April 7 and opens from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Umuganda Days (the last Saturday of each month).
The Campaign Against Genocide Museum in Rwanda is an important tourist destination. With live exhibits and symbols of genocide, it is now a safe and educational place to visit.
The museum is accessible throughout the year, offering visitors a meaningful experience.