Rwandas Foreign Affairs Minister Louise Mushikiwabo has told a meeting of Friends of Syria that “Though there is a vast distance to cover between Damascus and Kigali, Rwanda and Syria share the same experiences, and therefore Rwandese understand the plight Syria is facing’’.
Minister Mushikiwabo represented Rwanda at the second conference of friends of Syrian people after the invitation from the government of Turkey.
The first meeting was held in Tunisia in febuary, 2012 the conference explored human rights violations committed by the Syrian regime and showed their support for Syrian people.
The main opposition group in Syria alarmed the meeting that the government continues its human rights violations to its citizens.
The conference demanded the regime to put an end to its abuse and comply with its obligations to international law.
Minister Mushikiwabo told the meeting that Rwanda would not stand for the killing and inhumane treatment, stressing that all countries are obliged to honor rights of their citizens
“While it is true that the independence and sovereignty of States are fundamental to international relations, the fight and the right to live — the responsibility to protect — are even more critical for the survival of the community of nations”.
Minister Mushikiwabo quoted President Paul Kagame’s words at the height of the Libyan conflict to stress Rwanda’s position on humanitarian intervention: “No country knows better than my own the cost of the international community failing to intervene to prevent a State killing its own people.
Our responsibility to protect is unquestionable and this view is backed with the authority of having witnessed and suffered the terrible consequences of international inaction”.
The Minister demanded international cooperation to bring about a peaceful settlement in Syria, particularly those of neighboring nations, Turkey which does its level best, to protect vulnerable populations, even beyond its borders as demonstrated recently in Somalia.
The Conference was attended by 83 countries, mainly Arab and Western countries, together with international and eastern organization.
Leave a Reply