Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Article 5
No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
Roméo Dallaire is a Canadian senator, widely known for being Force Commander of UNAMIR (United Nations Assistance Mission In Rwanda) between 1993 and 1994. He is also known for his efforts to stop the genocide waged by extremist Hutu Rwandans against their moderate Hutu tribesmen and, more especially against the Tutsis who were the other ethnic group in the Rwandan conflict.
During the genocide, with dwindling troops and no help from outside, most of Roméo Dallaire’s efforts were focused on defending areas where he knew Tutsis were hiding. In spite of the fact that Dallaire had such limited resources and help, he is credited with directly saving somewhere in the region of 32,000 people of different races.
While Dallaire survived the genocide in Rwanda and many of his associates weren’t as lucky, he makes no secret of his struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of his experiences and is an outspoken supporter of all efforts to tend to veteran’s mental health.
Now, as well as being a senator, Roméo Dallaire has devoted his life to working for human rights and the prevention of genocide.
Dallaire has written two books – Shake Hands with the Devil – The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda (2004) and They Fight Like Soldiers, They Die Like Children (2010), a book about child soliders.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2cwrznedIU&w=560&h=315]
I can only shed tears and wonder how we allow this to continue.
That is a good question – I wish I knew the answer.
I’m going to buy his latest book. Thanks for posting.
I’m going to buy his latest book. Thanks for posting.
You’re welcome. Me too.
This is really good. It made my stomach hurt a little though, thinking of the torture that so many of us put each other through, it’s not just wars/genocide, it’s every day people, hurting their families and friends. 🙁
Good post, not meaning to take away from it. This guy is a true hero. And I am VERY proud of him for talking about PTSD. We need more like him.
He is a very brave man in every sphere of his life it seems.
This is really good. It made my stomach hurt a little though, thinking of the torture that so many of us put each other through, it’s not just wars/genocide, it’s every day people, hurting their families and friends. 🙁
Good post, not meaning to take away from it. This guy is a true hero. And I am VERY proud of him for talking about PTSD. We need more like him.
How wonderful to honor the ongoing work against genocied of Canadian Senator Dallaire.
How wonderful to honor the ongoing work against genocied of Canadian Senator Dallaire.