A team of researchers in the Genome Studies Program at the University of South Florida and the Center for Global Health and Infectious Diseases Research in the United States has come a long way in addressing the causes of mental health problems suffered by some Rwandans as a result of the genocide campaigns against the Tutsis in 1994.
In the first study of its kind, the research team, which included researcher Monica Auden and researcher Derek Wildman of the College of Public Health, analyzed the genome map, that is, the complete genetic material of Tutsi women who were pregnant and living in Rwanda. has. during the genocide, as well as the children to whom they gave birth.They compared the DNA of this slide with that of other Tutsi women and their children, who lived in other parts of the world at the time of the ethnic cleansing.
During the study, which falls within the framework of epigenetics, which is concerned with the study of genetic mutations caused by external causes, the research team concluded that the atrocities of genocide are associated with chemical changes in the DNA of women that through that difficult period and their children, and they added that many Some of these changes have occurred in genes that increase the risk of developing neurological diseases such as post-traumatic stress disorder or depression. These results suggest that, unlike conventional genetic mutations, genetic changes caused by epigenetics for chemical reasons cause rapid responses and are passed on through generations.
“Epigenetics refers to stable chemical changes that occur in the DNA and help control gene functions, and these changes may occur in a narrow period of time,” said researcher Monica Odin in statements reported by the website “Scitech Daily”, which specializes in scientific research “This study has shown that exposure to the horrors of genocide in the prenatal period is associated with an epigenetic pattern that influences the genetic functions of the newborn.”
The research team, which included researcher Clarice Musanabajanwa of the University of Rwanda and colleagues, achieved these results after studying DNA extracted from blood samples from 59 people, half of whom were directly or as fetuses to genocide-related traumas such as rape, escape exposed. from captivity, or witnessing Bloody murders, attacks with firearms, or examination of corpses or human remains.
-
Rwanda Genocide … 100 days of murder
The beginning of the genocide
On April 6, 1994, unknown individuals fired a missile at the plane of President Juvenal Habyarimana, then President of Rwanda, as it approached the Rwandan capital, Kigali. As a result, Habyarimana, his Burundian counterpart, and eight other passengers were killed. Then the massacres began, which lasted for three months and killed about 800,000 people.
-
Rwanda Genocide … 100 days of murder
Physical liquidation with premeditated advice
Following the assassination of the president, Hutu extremists launched a campaign of extermination against the Tutsi minority. The Hutu fighters, representing the majority in Rwanda, used various weapons and violence to eliminate their political enemies. It is reported that Prime Minister Agathe Uwiringiymana was one of the first victims of this massacre on April 7, 1994.
-
Rwanda Genocide … 100 days of murder
Save aliens
While thousands of Rwandans died in Kigali and other areas, Belgian and French special forces evacuated some 3,500 foreigners living in Rwanda. On April 13, Belgian paratroopers were able to rescue seven German employees of the Deutsche Welle Media Foundation and their families in Kigali. However, only 80 of the 120 local staff members were rescued from the brutality of the militants.
-
Rwanda Genocide … 100 days of murder
Inaudible cry for help
Romeo Dallaire, commander of the Canadian peacekeeping force, has been aware of the genocide plot since early 1994. But his warning message known as the “genocide fax” on January 11 was ignored by the United Nations. Even his subsequent appeals to the head of the UN peacekeeping force, Kofi Annan, remained unheard of, as peacekeepers did nothing to end the tragedy.
-
Rwanda Genocide … 100 days of murder
Killer propaganda
Radio Mille Cullen (RTLM) and the weekly Kangora also contributed to the incitement of hatred and murder against the Tutsi community. In 1990, the Kangura newspaper published a racist article entitled “The Ten Commandments of the Hutu”. In turn, Radio Mail Collins called daily to hunt down and kill Tutsis. Director Milo Rao’s film “Radio Hate” highlights the Rwandan media’s contribution to spreading hatred and inciting murder.
-
Rwanda Genocide … 100 days of murder
“Safe shelters”
In Kigali, Paul Rusesabagina provided safe shelter for more than 1,000 people at the Hôtel de Mille Colline. After the Belgian driver left the country, Rusesabagina took over his duties at the hotel. By using a lot of alcohol and money, he was able to stop the Hutu militias from killing refugees. But in many other shelters, the victims were not spared the brutality of the fighters.
-
Rwanda Genocide … 100 days of murder
massacres in churches
Even the churches were not a safe haven for the fugitives, as about 4,000 men, women and children were killed in a church near Kigali with axes, knives and machetes. This church is currently one of the many memorials documenting this dark historical era. Skulls, human bones and bullet holes in the walls are also reminiscent of the crimes of genocide.
-
Rwanda Genocide … 100 days of murder
French intervention
France maintains close ties with the Hutu regime. When the rebels of the Rwandan Patriotic Front confronted the perpetrators of the genocide, French forces intervened. Which led to the failure of the front to maintain its progress and victories. France helped the militias responsible for the genocide flee with their weapons to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire), where they still pose a real threat to Rwanda’s security.
-
Rwanda Genocide … 100 days of murder
refugee stream
Millions of Rwandans at this stage fled Tutsis and Hutus to neighboring countries, led by Tanzania, Uganda and Zaire, which received some two million refugees. This while the former members of the army and those responsible for the war of destruction formed the so-called Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which to this day threatens the stability and security of Eastern Congo.
-
Rwanda Genocide … 100 days of murder
Liberation of the capital, Kigali
In front of the Church of the Holy Family in Kigali, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) patrolled rebels on July 4, 1994, after they managed to liberate most of the country and forced those responsible for the genocide to to flee. But human rights activists also complain that the rebels themselves have committed similar crimes, for which they have not yet been held accountable.
-
Rwanda Genocide … 100 days of murder
end of destruction
On 18 July 1994, Major General Paul Kagame, leader of the Rwandan Patriotic Front, announced the end of the war against government forces. And this after the rebels took control of the capital and other major cities. Then they formed an interim government. Kagame has been the country’s president since 2000.
-
Rwanda Genocide … 100 days of murder
Consequences of the Civil War
The genocide lasted about three months, during which brutal killings took place, with parts of the bodies of babies, children, adults and the elderly being thrown into the streets. The aftermath of the genocide continues today as the genocide devastated Rwanda, traumatizing hundreds of thousands of survivors and leaving scars.
Author: Andrea Schmidt / Amine Bendarif
This recent study is part of a broader research initiative called “Human Heredity and Health in Africa” (H3), which is the “Human Genetics and Health in Africa” initiative, which is funded by national research institutes and aims to empowering scientists specializing in genome research.In the brown continent, improving their capacity for scientific independence and providing the necessary infrastructure to enhance the study of genetics across the continent, in order to collect data covering the world’s genomic sciences serve better.
Researcher Wildman says, “The Rwandan people involved in this study, and indeed the entire Rwandan community, really want to find out what happened to them, because post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychological problems to which they are exposed require answers to know what the causes of those feelings that they suffer and suffer from. ” .
Although this study focuses specifically on the effects of the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, it confirms previous studies showing that events experienced by the mother during pregnancy may have long-term effects on fetuses, and that these symptoms may not occur except in early stages. Later in life, the study also highlights the need to focus efforts to protect the psycho-emotional health of pregnant women.
The study team indicated that people who suffered the horrors of genocide while still themselves fetuses were starting to have children from their roots, and they hope to know if these psychological problems they suffer from will also extend to the third generation. . Researchers are waiting for more DNA samples to determine exactly how trauma or extreme stress can lead to certain mental disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
AAJ / MS (DPA)
