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Condolences flood in for our Man of Peace
IANSA member and his children among those murdered |
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The United Nations has failed to blame any particular group over the massacre in August of refugees in Burundi in which 160 Banyamulenge -- Congolese Tutsis -- were shot, hacked and burnt to death.
The official report by the UN Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the UN Operation in Burundi concluded that they were unable “to conclusively identify who authored, financed, or carried out the killings" of the Banyamulenge at the Gatumba transit centre located just inside Burundi's border.
At the same time, the team "collected sufficient information about this grave crime to recommend a thorough judicial inquiry at both the national level, led by the Government of Burundi, with the full cooperation of the DCR and Rwanda, and the international level, led by the International Criminal Court."
Photos of the massacre received by IANSA reveal a scene of unimaginable horror, and the entire IANSA community extends its deepest sympathy to the families of all those who lost their lives and were brutally traumatised. The fact that no group has been officially blamed by the UN, of course, adds to the trauma. The Burundi Government has said there is clear evidence pointing to a coalition of the Hutu rebel group, the Forces for National Liberation, Congolese traditional Mai Mai fighters and Rwanda Hutu militia.
As IANSA members know already, our colleague Pastor Jacques Rutekereza was killed in the massacre, along with six of his children: Mushambaro, 18, Igiraneza, 16, Nyamasoso, 12, Ndatabaye, 9, Nyazahabu, 6, and Nyamuryango, 4. His wife, Sideria Nyangabire, 35, and four of their children were wounded, but survived. A total of 75 children died in the massacre, including a three-month-old baby.
Pastor Rutukereza was the pastor of the Pentecostal church of Minevam, and ran the Reconciliation and Peace project for SOS Droits de l’Homme en Catastrophe. He was a special man, deeply respected by those who knew him and regarded as a "man of calm". He was a tall, statesman-like figure, who had fled with his family to the Gatumba refugee camp amid rumours of impending violence. He was a man who continually called for truth and reconciliation in all facets of life. He always said the answer to the problems facing his people lay in honest dialogue. Many believed he was a prophet because he had told them he saw the massacre coming. On the day of the slaughter, he publicly gave thanks to God for allowing him to prepare for his death spiritually. His deep faith gave him the courage to face his awful death, and the death of those he loved, with dignity and courage. The world has lost a great man. It has lost a man of peace.
The death of Pastor Ruterkereza has brought great sadness to everyone at IANSA. We are not even able to share a photo of him with you, because all his family's possessions were destroyed by the murderers. Our hearts are with Sideria Nyanagbire and her surviving family as she struggles to recover and to rebuild her life.
Rest in peace, friend. We will all honour your death by continuing in our efforts to make the world a safer place.
Many of our members have sent messages of condolence, which are reproduced below: |
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Foi com consternação que recebemos a noticia da morte do Sr Jackes Rutekereza, ocorrida no Campo de refugiados do Burundi. Em nome de todos que em Angola lutam pela paz e estabilidade social, apresentamos os nossos sentimentos de pesar à IANSA e à familia enlutada, na certeza de que os objectivos que nos propomos atingir, os de ter um mundo livre de armas e de toda a violencia, sejam atingidos. Paz eterna para os que na busca da estabilidade perecem.
Felizberto Njele
CEEA
Angola
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I send my condolences and solidarity to the family and colleagues of Pastor Rutekereza our friend.
Cirilo Mbonge
Secretary General
Angola 2000 |
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I am shocked by the news of the murder of Pastor Jacques amd some of his children. Please accept this expression of deepest sympathy. The work he was involved in with IANSA was of critical importance for the wellbeing of his and other African nations. This is his legacy. In environments such as Burundi such activity is always dangerous. Pastor Jacques was a very brave man who persevered in his efforts on behalf of the growing number of governments and people worldwide who see access to small arms as being a root cause of much destabilising activity. History will revere him.
Neville Petersen
Australia |
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Sentimos mucho la muerte de nuestros colegas del IANSA en Burundi en una labor humanitaria y decorosa como la que estamos obligados a realizar en las condiciones más adversas. Nuestro pésame por las muertes.
Juan Ramón Quintana T.
Observatorio de Democracia y Seguridad
Universidad De La Cordillera
La Paz
Bolivia
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Lamentamos de todo corazón la terrible muerte del compañero de Gatumba, seguiremos contra las armas pequeñas pero también las grandes porque no podemos seguir muriendo inútilmente.
Amparo Beltran
Centro Popular Para America Latina de Comunicadores (CEPALC)
Bolivia |
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This is really bad news for IANSA partners. In fact in was in Burundi just weeks ago where I participated in a Central African sub regional workshop on small arms but I did not get this bad news. I do hope the family of this fallen hero will accept our condolences.
Ngalim Eugine
Cameroon Youth and Students for Peace
Cameroon |
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Con muchísima tristeza hemos recibido la noticia de tan lamentable hecho. Nos sumamos a la condena total que merecen este tipo de sucesos y enviamos nuestro más sincero abrazo de solidaridad a ustedes y a las familias de los que han sufrido semejante barbaridad.
Daniel Matul
Fundación para la Paz y la Democracia (FUNPADEM)
Costa Rica |
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Es lamentable saber este tipo de noticias, me solidarizo con las personas de Gatumba, y especialmente con la familia del Pastor Jacques Rutekereza. Debemos seguir trabajando por un mundo menos violento.
Dr Rafael Chacón
Ministerio de Salud
El Salvador
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Gracias por mantenernos informados de acontecimientos relevantes, aunque se trate de sucesos tan tristes y condenables como este en el que además de las muertes y heridas de cientos de seres humanos, tenemos también que lamentar entre ellas el asesinato de un colega y compañero de lucha. No le conocimos personalmente al pastor Rutekerez, pero es obvio que fue una persona extraordinaria, de los pocos que quedan el mundo y que son cada día más necesarios. Un pastor que muere junto a sus feligreses, un mártir que dio ofrendó su vida por los más necesitados, como monseñor Oscar Romero que dignificó el nombre de El Salvador. Viene a mi memoria la letra de una desgarradora, pero animadora canción popular que quiero compartir en este momento y que más o menos decía: "Los que mueren por la vida no pueden llamarse muertos; y a partir de este momento queda prohibido llorarlos", sin embargo nos duele, hasta el borde las lagrimas, la pérdida de una persona tan digna y necesaria para la humanidad. Por favor haz llegar nuestro mensaje de pesar y solidaridad a sus parientes, amigos y compañeros.
Jaime Martínez Ventura
Director del Centro de Estudios Penales de El Salvador
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Today we knew about the sad news from Congo, where many people died because of violence, and about the confused and dangerous
situation there, especially for people who work against this epidemic in the region. I am so sad to hear that Jacques Rutekereza,
member of IANSA and someone who fought against the problem, has died.
We would like to communicate our concern about the situation and our solidarity with the organizations, families, friends and people
from Congo where the violence is a way to live. As a country where violence is a big problem like El Salvador, we really understand
the human suffering of children, mothers, fathers and people who only want to live in peace. We hope this situation will change and
people finally can enjoy their life with respect for Human Rights.
Emperatriz Crespin, MD
IPPNW
El Salvador
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It is with deep sadness that we in the Pacific have come to learn of the the tragic demise of Pastor Jacques, his six children and all those who perished in the massacre. It is even harder to comprehend that in this new millenium, fellow humans can continue to inflict such devastation to each other. Amidst the tears and heartaches, we are greatly encouraged by the story of the man that Pastor Jacques was- greater than life itself, and for whom God who grants peace to all his children, would have said, ' Well done, thou great and faithful servant- enter thou to eternal peace.' This is the message we would like to leave with his widow Sideria and their surviving children. Truly, the legacy left behind always, is that we must work even harder to rid this world of the evil that gives rise to the demand for arms in the first place. Jesus said, 'Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.' Let us claim that blessing today and press on. God bless,
Ema Tagicakibau
Pacific Concerns Resource Centre
Fiji |
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Greetings from the Martin Luther King Centre for Democracy and Human Rights. My deepest condolences. May I request you to pass on the condolence message to the family.
Shanti Ranjan Behera
Martin Luther King Centre for Democracy and Human Rights
India
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It is horrible to read the massacre of Pastor Jacques Rutekereza and his family. IIPDEP with all our team and peace loving people of
India condemn such barbaric action. Our hearts are with the bereaved family and we pray God to give them strength.
Dr Balkrishna Kurvey
Indian Institute for Peace, Disarmament and Environmental Protection
India |
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Thanks a lot for your information regarding the death of a human rights activist in Burundi. This is indeed quite sad and frustrating especially that this comes at a time when Burundi is struggling to find ground as a nation. My heart too goes to the family, relative and friends. The struggle for attainment of total peace in a democratic Africa is still far from being realised. As for other activist, we are totally with you and the struggle has to keep the heat on the undemocratic practices in Africa. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
Mutuku Nguli
Peacenet
Kenya |
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It’s sad but I am sure this will make us to be more determined in our fight against the proliferation and misuse of small arms. Lets all work in solidarity against this evil.
Undele Mwakasungura
Center for Human Rights and Research
Malawi |
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| Je profite de l'occasion pour présenter mes condoléances à la famille de notre ami disparu et a toute la famille des activistes de la non violence et aussi a demander au un et au autre de double d'effort pour lutter contre la violence.
Fatoumata Maiga
Association des Femmes pour les Initiatives de Paix
Mali |
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We are really sorry to hear what is going on around us. It is quite painful to hear that someone working for the humanitarian cause has been killed. The one who is trying to protect the human rights of others has had his own rights lost in the process of fighting for the cause. These ruthless and merciless killings have to be opposed and condemned. We all are against it. We condemn it vehemently. I hope his soul will rest in peace. I pray for him.
Rohit Nepali
South Asia Partnership
Nepal
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It is really very sad news for all who are involved in arms control projects and everyone should be careful to work in such field. In many countries such events are happening. So all of us should be alert on this.
Shobha Gautam
Institute of Human Rights Communications
Nepal |
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Again and again we see the evil and hate in our society and are we to do nothing but send condolences to Pastor Rutekereza's family,
to his wife and the four remaining children who survived? Do the condolences ask how the family will financially survive? Do the
condolences ask how the mother of four surviving children is to physically and emotionally cope with the trauma? Do the condolences
to the family really show our solidarity with IANSA members who risk their life day-to-day in many regions of the world? We as
members of IANSA have a duty to perform.
We must show our support in a way that will be understood by our Pastor's surviving family.
Support that shows them that we care for their immediate well-being. But that support must, I sincerely believe, come from "us" the
members of IANSA, at least those of us who are in a position to contribute.
It is in this respect that I want IANSA, through the good offices of the Director, to facilitate the establishment
of a Pastor Rutekereza Family Donation Fund. Donations could come from members of IANSA and not from IANSA itself. I am quite
willing to start the ball rolling and I will be sending a monetary donation today to IANSA. I have faith that our Director, Rebecca
Peters will forward all the funds to our Pastor's family. Your donation will send an important message to our colleagues.
Alan L. Simons
Amsterdam
Netherlands |
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The reported news of the murder of Pastor Jacques Rutekereza, IANSA member and human rights campaigner with SOS Droits de l' Homme en Catastrophe and numerous Congolese civilians killed on August 13, 2004, by suspected armed groups and Burundian FNL, came to us in the Niger Delta Project for Environment, Human Rights and Development (NDPEHRD) as a shock and concern. Proliferation of small arms and light weapons no matter its size, scale and dimension is dangerous. Every IANSA member, be it in the creeks of Nigeria's Niger Delta, Burundi, East Timor, USA, Iraq, Dhaka- Bangladesh, Argentina, London, Jakarta, or Russia should feel concerned at the killing of our member or wanton killing of the poor civilian population anywhere in the world. We all face the precarious situation that befell our Rutekereza and others in our respective areas. Faced with a decaying state and its official corruption, we work sometimes in difficult, intimidating and fearful situation. We must continue with our usual commitment and passion to prevent the illicit arms trade and control the dangerous weapons that ended the life of our colleague and others. NDPEHRD's solidarity to IANSA and our sympathy to the families of Pastor Jacques Rutekereza and other victims of the proliferation of small arms and light
Patrick Naagbanton
Niger Delta Project for Environment, Human Rights and Development (NDPEHRD)
Nigeria |
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Please relay my condolences to the family of Pastor Rutekereza. I remember reading about this terrible massacre and it certainly underlines the importance of the work that you and others do to diminish the access to illicit arms.
Rolf W. Hansen
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Norway |
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I was shocked when I received an email message about the massacre at Gatumba camp in which our IANSA member was murdered. I and
SASA-Net Pakistan strongly condemn such incidents and our hearts go with the victims of random killings. We pray that God help the
family to come out of this awful act.
Working for a gun free society is becoming a crucial act of the day. Let's hope more people can join us in our struggle.
Shabnam Rashid
SASA-Net, Pakistan |
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Our hearts go out to the families of late pastor Jacques. The organisation sends its condolences to the victims’ family. On another note elections for the autonomous Government for Bougainville has been put off because guns are still in circulation. It’s too risky holding elections when guns pose a serious threat. The women agree to applaud the UN Security Council’s decision in delaying the elections.
Helen Hakena
Leitana Nehan Women’s Development Agency
Papua New Guinea |
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Siento muchísimo lo que pasó con el pastor Rutekereza. Agradezco como siempre la información de IANSA.
Diego Zavala
Amnesty International USA
Puerto Rico |
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Reciban nuestras condolencias por tan irreparables pérdidas de sus seres queridos. Le enviamos mucha fuerza para seguir adelante
desde AI Paraguay!
Rosalía Vega
Amnistía Internacional
Paraguay |
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Nous vous informons que la situation est toujours tendue ici à l'Est de la RDC surtout à Uvira et Bukavu à cause de retour prochain des réfugiés congolais d'origine rwandophone qui sont au nombre de 2000 aujourd’hui le 8/10/04 dans la zone neutre entre la frontière du Burundi et de la RDC à Kanvivira, ils ne sont pas encore autorisés de traverser par le service de sécurité. Parmis eux beaucoup d'enfants et des vieillards ainsi que des jeunes gens. Nous vous tiendrons informé de l'évolution
Janvier Kabwe
AVREO UVIRA
Republique Democratique du Congo / Democratic Republic of Congo
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| C'est avec grande consternation que nous avions appris la mort de notre cher collègue le Pasteur Jacques Rutekereza lors du massacre
de Gatumba au Burundi.
Le travail réalisé par les défenseurs des droits Humains dans la région est très important, mais aussi les expose davantage. Surtout
que nous avons en face de nous des personnes qui ne savent ou ignorent et ou tout simplement ne veulent pas respecter les droits
Humains. Voila que la société civile congolaise vient de perdre une personne importante qui s'est dévouée pour la promotion des
droits humains. Au nom de mon organisation, Projet GRAM - Kivu adresse ses sincères condoléances à la famille du disparu et à tous
les membres du réseau. Que la terre de nos ancêtres lui soit douce et légère et qu'il se repose en paix.
Victor AMISSI SULUBIKA
Projet GRAM - Kivu
Republique Democratique du Congo / Democratic Republic of Congo |
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Recevez mes condoléances les plus attristées pour cette disparition brutale du Pasteur Jacques Rutekereza que vous voudrez transmettre à tous nos membres et à sa famille. La question des armes légères est d'actualité et la paupérisation de plus en plus généralisée ne fera qu'aggraver les violences. Il faudra plus d'équité dans le partage des richesses de ce monde.
Dieudonné Pandare
RADDHO
Senegal |
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We would like to express our deepest regrets and sadness at your loss, because of this terrible tragedy. Our minds are with all of
you, hoping you will find a peace in your souls, and hoping your dearest will find a place in heaven and will rest in peace.
Vladimir Djumic
Balkan Youth Union
Serbia & Montenegro |
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On behalf of RYDO-SL, I write and extend condolence to the late Pastor Jacques Rutekereza who was murdered in Burundi, as human right activists we are always target of terrorist group, but my vision is we will continue to say the truth. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
Rural Youth Development Organisation
Sierre Leone |
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Estimada Sra. Sideria Nyangabire,
Gracias a Rebecca Peters, directora de IANSA, me he enterado de la muerte
del Pastor Jacques Rutkerza, asesinado en la brutal masacre perpetrada el
pasado 13 de agosto por unos desconocidos en un campo de refugiados en
Burundi, como así también la de sus hijos Mushambaro, Igiraneza, Nyamasoso,
Ndatabaye, Nyazahabu y Nyamuryango.
Sé que no hay nada que pueda decir ni escribir, ni que pueda compensar en
nada esta gran pérdida, tal vez la peor imaginable. Sé que no puedo ni tan
sólo imaginar como poner remedio al dolor que sin duda Vd está sintiendo en
estos momentos.
Lo único que puedo intentar para hacerle ver lo importante que es mantenerse
firme en la defensa de los ideales que sin duda compartió Vd con el Pastor
Jacques Rutkerza es transmitirle desde España mi admiración y respeto por el
combate que mantuvo su marido por limpiar de armas el mundo, y por tratar de
mejorarlo. Espero que su ejemplo puedan seguirlo sus hijos, así como otros
muchos jóvenes, y tratar de luchar por un Burundi justo y en paz, libre de
los efectos negativos de la violencia y de las armas de fuego sin control.
Hasta siempre, con admiración, respeto y afecto,
Alfonso López Borgoñoz
miembro de IANSA
España |
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We at ForDIA are sincerely sympathetic and highly touched by this chilling and shocking news. It is sad that the SALW epidemic is decimating families in the Great Lakes region. Yet only little is done by states and their friends to provide enough security for the people. We are deeply concerned.
ForDIA
Concern for Development Initiatives in Africa (ForDIA)
Tanzania
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Very sorry. We at Hurepi-Trust have received this information with great shock. The environment that has led the death of our member Pastor Jacques is really painful. We are joining all the members of his family, friends, relatives and other IANSA members to mourn the death of our brother and pray his almighty God to rest his soul in to peace.
Peter O.B. Mcomalla
Hurepi-Trust
Tanzania |
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My deepest condolences to Pastor Rutukereza's family and friends. May this tragedy serve to mobilize all of us to recommit ourselves
to fighting the global scourge of small arms.
Rachel Stohl
Center for Defense Information
USA |
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