The event featured distinguished guests, including Attorney General Damien Vandermeersch, lawyer Michèle Hirsch, journalist Colette Braeckman, and Brigitte Safari, a survivor of the Genocide against the Tutsi who shared her testimony.

During her presentation, journalist Colette Braeckman reflected on Belgium’s failure in Rwanda, stating, "We, the journalists who were in Rwanda before the Genocide, reported that Tutsis were being threatened with death, inciting hatred against them.”

She added, "When I arrived in Belgium from Kigali, I was invited to a meeting organized by Catholic church followers. Arriving there, one person wrote on the blackboard that the RPF should stop the war so we can stop killing. I thought I was dreaming, wondering if I was really in Belgium. This showed me that some in Belgium had an extermination plan shared with those in Rwanda at that time, shortly before the Genocide against the Tutsi."

Braeckman also recounted her eyewitness account of French soldiers aiding the Interahamwe militias and the former Rwandan government forces (Ex-FAR) in committing atrocities, including massacres, with the support of French authorities, even transporting them to Zaire.

She said, “The French soldiers would pose for photos with some of the civilian refugees to show that they were helping people in difficulties. The saddest thing is that as journalists, our job is to report news, but there are others who have other plans, and you find that decisions have been made. You speak up, but no one listens. However, we have to write to preserve history.”

Another revelation from Braeckman was the pressure on journalists to falsely accuse the RPF of shooting down former President Habyarimana’s plane.

Attorney General Damien Vandermeersch emphasized the professional responsibility to hear from both sides and search for the truth of the crimes committed. He said, "I have met many accused of murder and participation in the Genocide against the Tutsi, and there are also those who should not have been accused, such as former ministers, university professors, religious leaders, and others."

He continued, "This led us to hear many people say there was a massacre, a war, or a conflict with other names. No, there is no other name for the Genocide against the Tutsis because they hunted people based on their identity, found them in their hiding places, and killed them.”

Lawyer Michèle Hirsch, who has 29 years of experience defending the compensation of the survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi, highlighted the serious violence women endured. She shared her personal history of the Genocide against the Jews, where family members were killed, and how her experience in Rwanda deeply affected her.

Hirsch noted that when she started her work, she found that survivors often spoke more about their families than themselves, reflecting the difficulty of confronting their trauma, though many are now beginning to share their personal stories with the justice system.

In an interview with IGIHE, Arnaud Hamann, the President of the "Conference du Jeune Barreau de Bruxelles," stated that the event was organized to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

He said, "Considering the period after the history of the world war, this Genocide is the one in which a large number of people were killed in a short period of time and with great brutality. So we invited one of the survivors, Safari Brigitte, to share testimonies, Journalist Colette Braeckman who followed the history of Rwanda to share her experience, and lawyers including Attorney General Damien Vandermeersch and Lawyer Michèle Hirsch."

Hamann emphasized the importance of keeping audio and video recordings of the discussions to ensure that the accounts are not just left on paper, providing tools for future legal professionals and judges.

Attorney General Damien Vandermeersch emphasized the professional responsibility to hear from both sides and search for the truth of the crimes committed.

Survivor of Genocide against the Tutsi, Brigitte Safari shared her testimony.

The event attracted a large number of participants who were enlightened on history of Genocide against the Tutsi.

Journalist Colette Braeckman reflected on Belgium's failure in Rwanda.

It was disclosed that Belgium did not intervene despite warnings of Genocide.

Arnaud Hamann, the President of the "Conference du Jeune Barreau de Bruxelles," stated that the event was organized to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda.

Lawyer Michèle Hirsch, who has 29 years of experience defending the compensation of the survivors of the Genocide against the Tutsi, highlighted the serious violence women endured.

The event featured distinguished guests, including Attorney General Damien Vandermeersch, lawyer Michèle Hirsch, journalist Colette Braeckman, and Brigitte Safari, a survivor of the Genocide against the Tutsi.

The discussions were recorded to ensure that the accounts are not just left on paper, providing tools for future legal professionals and judges.

These discussions, held on May 15, 2024, took place in the "Salle des audiences solennelles de la Cour de cassation."

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