Rwanda

Marking International Day to End Violence against Women, the Secretary-General reiterated the United Nations commitment to end all forms of violence against women and girls, which are among the most horrific, persistent and widespread human rights violations and affect one in every three women in the world.

Today is International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition.  According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), this observance is intended to inscribe the tragedy of the slave trade in the memory of all peoples.

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks on the twenty-fifth Anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, in New York today:

The Secretary-General is shocked at today’s attack in Quetta, in Pakistan.  He strongly condemns this cowardly act and extends his condolences to the families of the victims and the Government and people of Pakistan.

The Secretary-General continues to follow the developments in Sudan very closely and reiterates his call for calm and utmost restraint by all.  The Secretary‑General reaffirms that the United Nations stands ready to support the Sudanese people as they chart a new way forward.

With Bangladesh expecting its first monsoon of the year in the coming weeks, the United Nations refugee agency is ramping up emergency preparations and training of Rohingya refugees as first responders.  Last year, more than 740,000 refugees fleeing Myanmar into Bangladesh experienced their first monsoon.

Following is UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ message on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, observed on 7 April:

In Cox’s Bazaar, Bangladesh, the first monsoon rains are affecting hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees.  The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees is rushing more aid, including thousands of tents to give emergency shelter, for some 60,000 refugees in areas at risk of landslides and flooding.

Following are UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks at the commemoration of the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, in New York today: