The genocide of the Tutsi, a crime of inconceivable dimensions, started in Rwanda 25 years ago. More than 800,000 people were killed over a period of around 100 days. Today we remember the victims and their relatives and friends.

The genocide in Rwanda must serve as a warning for future generations. All of us have a responsibility to keep memory of the past alive and to do everything we can so that something like this does not happen again.

In the spring of 1994, the international community failed to recognise the warning signs of the imminent genocide in time. Today, 25 years later, the instruments of early crisis detection and crisis prevention are far better developed. We have pledged to look very closely in situations where there are growing signs of a crisis. We must deal promptly with human rights violations and other causes of conflict.

Germany thus actively supports a comprehensive approach in crisis prevention. This is also a priority of our membership of the United Nations Security Council.