Genocide Awareness & Prevention Month

April is recognized as Genocide Awareness and Prevention month as we remember the victims of historical genocides and take the time to raise awareness of ongoing atrocities.

April includes significant dates marking the beginning of the Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda, the victims of the killing fields in Cambodia, the Armenian Genocide, and the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. There are also dates of commemoration for the Siege of Sarajevo, and Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day).

The word, “genocide”, was conceived by the lawyer, Raphael Lemkin, after learning about the Armenian genocide. This word was created using the ancient Greek prefix genos (race, clan) and the Latin suffix cide (killing).

The Myrin Library currently has an exhibit in the entryway recognizing Genocide Awareness and Prevention month. Visit the library to learn more.