Joining her countless admirers around the world, we write with deep sadness for the tragic loss of Alison Des Forges. We at the Scholar Rescue Fund recently had the good fortune of her direct support and guidance when we needed her thoughts in connection with a complex evaluation of a genocide-accused Rwandan Scholar. Alison was outspoken in her support for him – a man she’d never met. To us she offered her uniquely authoritative insight into Rwanda and the region. Showing no signs of fatigue, only grace and humility, she called us in the late night hours from London in the days just before her death, helping us through difficult questions about Rwanda’s tragic past and its significant challenges today. We keep Alison’s family and friends in our thoughts as we celebrate this incredible human being. Alison Des Forges will be deeply missed.

Scholar Rescue Fund
Institute of International Education

When I decided to do my postgraduate dissertation on reconciliation and justice in Rwanda some 7 years ago I referred to Dr Des Forges work throughout. Her understanding of the genocide and its history was matched only by her commitment to justice and the people of Rwanda. I was very fortunate to have the opportunity to meet her when I attended a conference in London back in 2002 which was a very humbling experience for me; to meet someone who I had long admired and have the opportunity to ask questions from the ‘expert’. This is a great loss for her family, the people of the Great Lakes region and all who strive for justice.

My deepest sympathy, Joanne McAlroy, Christian Aid

One of the few voices speaking about what is really happening in the Great Lakes. She will be missed by all of us who care deeply about the future of the region.

Judith Melby
Christian Aid

I join others in expressing my deep shock at the death of Alison. My interaction with her was just after the 1994 genocide when she helped facilitate the safe passage to North America of some friends who had fled to Nairobi, and her willingness to give testimony in the case of someone else who is being tried at the Arusha Tribunal. Her courage to speak out and defend the cause of justice was truly remarkable. Her passing is a great loss to the people of the Great Lakes region.

Karimi Kinoti, Christian Aid

This is an absolute tragedy and a huge loss for the search for justice, peace and truth in the Great Lakes region and globally. Alison's work was unique in many ways. Christian Aid has worked quite closely with Alison in the past. When I saw the news about the plane crash on TV I had a pang of fear knowing that it happened around Buffalo, where Alison lives and that she would be returning home, but I dismissed it from further worry, thinking that the worst could not possibly happen... I was in a meeting with her so recently. This is like a bad dream.
Shuna Keen, Senior Governance Officer
Christian Aid

I never had the privilege of meeting Dr. Des Forges, but -- like so many others -- I have read her tremendous report on the Rwandan genocide. "Leave None to Tell the Story" is the primary source for the thesis that I am currently finishing. While I was never able to speak to Dr. Des Forges, her dedication, bravery, eloquence, commitment to justice and human rights, and tireless advocacy in the Great Lakes region shine on through her work. She is an inspiration to all, and on a personal level, an enormous part of the reason for my research into human rights abuses and determination to make a difference. For that and for her courageous stand against all human rights abuses regardless of the identity of the perpetrators, I am grateful for the time that Dr. Des Forges spent on this earth.

Heartfelt condolences to the Des Forges family and to her friends and colleagues. If I am so affected by her passing, I cannot imagine how difficult this must be for those who knew her. This is an unspeakable loss. Rest in peace, Dr. Des Forges.

Lynne Powers
Amherst, MA

Statement on the Death of Alison Des Forges

Gordon Duguid

Acting Deputy Department Spokesman, Office of the Spokesman

Public Affairs

Washington, DC

February 17, 2009

The Department of State wishes to express its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Alison Des Forges. Her untimely death last week in the tragic plane crash in Buffalo will be felt widely throughout the international human rights community and by all those who have been touched by her work. She established a tremendous reputation as a human rights expert, historian, and as an intrepid and committed defender and promoter of human rights.

Dr. Des Forges’ years of dedicated work documenting the Rwandan genocide created a definitive account of the genocide – echoed in her testimony before several international and national genocide trials – furthered the cause of justice, and established a high standard for others to follow in the future. Her groundbreaking work is one of the reasons policymakers, academics, and students are able to draw on and learn from one of the 20th century’s most important case studies and tragic events. She will be sorely missed.

Je me joins à toutes celles et à ceux qui ont connu, croisé cette formidable petite femme, cette grande dame.
Pour avoir travaillé plusieurs mois avec Alison à la mise au point de la version française FIDH de son rapport "Leave none to Tell the Story" je garde le souvenir exquis d'une personne si sympathique, combattive, et si déterminée... Infatigable Alison, soucieuse de vérité, d'exactitude. Son travail de mémoire sur la tragédie rwandaise, elle le voulait perenne. Il fallait dire, dire et continuer à dire. Ce livre ne devait pas se refermer. "The story must be told" en était l'épilogue. "The story must be told" a constitué plus largement l'objet d'une mission dont elle s'est inlassablement chargée et acquittée avec un courage énorme.
Une grande perte pour tant de gens.

Formidable Alison, love for ever.

Valérie Mello

Alison often visited me in my office at the State Department when I was Ambassador at Large for War Crimes Issues during the Clinton Administration. With her sadly penetrating eyes and knowing smile, she always told me the truth and more than once shamed me into acting for the sake of humanity. We all mourn her tragic death knowing, however, that she made historic contributions to the principles of international law and justice which we must remain committed to advance, not only in her memory but also because she left us no choice.

David Scheffer
Mayer Brown/Robert A. Helman Professor of Law
Director, Center for International Human Rights
Northwestern University School of Law
Chicago, Illinois

To HRW: I learned last night of the death of Dr. des Forges while watching Bill Moyers Journal. I am heartbroken for HRW and for the human rights community.
I first learned of her work when I was an editor at Brown University's Watson Institute for International Studies. In that position, I began to take courses in international relations and history, and I soon became drawn to the history of Rwanda and the systems that led to the 1994 genocide. Of course, her definitive work soon landed on my bookshelf. Dr. des Forges's commitment to truth and justice and her exhaustive research into the genocide inspired me to return to graduate school and pursue a doctorate in the history of human rights.
I extend my deepest sympathies to Dr. des Forges's family, friends, and colleagues. And I recommit my own work to her memory.
Nancy Hamlin Soukup, M.Div.
Doctoral Student, Boston College History Department
Program Associate, Office of the Chaplains and Religious Life, Brown University

I wish to express my condolences to Alison’s family, colleagues, and friends. Alison’s grace, compassion and dedication touched so many. We have all lost a hero.

Laurel Baig
UN International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia

La première fois que j'ai rencontré Alison, j'ai, immédiatement été frappé par sa compétence et son sens du terrain. Elle parlait du Rwanda, elle parlait de la région des grands lacs africains. Ses mots étaient vrais. Ses mots étaient les mots de quelqu'un qui savait de quoi elle parlait. Des mots forts, des mots qui évoquaient un vécu : des gens rencontrés, des gens respectés, des gens aimés. Elle parlait des gens qu'elle avait connus, et dont elle évoquait la mémoire après les terribles moments de 1994. Et puis, elle parlait de ceux qui étaient encore vivants, de ceux qui se battaient pour la vérité, de ceux qui se battaient pour la justice. Avec, en permanence, ce souci de la précision, de l'exactitude, pour, précisément, être crédible, et convaincante. C'était cela la force d'Alison. C'est cela qui la différenciait des autres. Il y avait, chez elle, une force intérieure incroyable. C'était son destin. C'était sa vie. Elle vivait pour cela. A chaque fois que je l'ai revue, à Paris, à Washington, à Bruxelles, j'étais épaté par l'incroyable énergie de ce petit bout de femme. Elle est, pour nous tous, un exemple, une lumière. Pour nous qui continuons le chemin de la vie, elle restera une référence. La prochaine fois que j'irai à Kigali, je me recueillerai devant le mausolée construit en hommage aux victimes du génocide de 1994. Je penserai aux Rwandais victimes de la folie humaine. Je penserai aussi à Alison./.

Jean-Christophe Belliard, Ambassador of France to Ethiopia

I had the incredible privilege of working for Alison, who was my supervisor at HRW when I was in Rwanda, 2005-2007. She had so many Rwandan friends and contacts that she managed to know exactly what was going on in Rwanda, even though she was usually several thousand miles away in Buffalo or New York City. Generous with her information and ideas, she never treated researchers as sources of information, but always as human beings, as individuals. She cared more for the state of the knowledge on Rwanda and the Great Lakes region than for her own individual career, and constantly inspired others to become involved, to think through the issues, or to re-consider their ideas.

Human rights work is intellectually and logistically challenging, sometimes confusing, and extremely tiring. Alison never flagged. She was always supportive, always available to give advice. Her visits to Rwanda were intense, packed with meetings and fieldtrips. She would be up by 6 and only sleep at midnight, after a dinner meeting and some work on her little laptop. Although several decades younger than her, I found it difficult to keep up with her pace! Occasionally things would go wrong – flights would be delayed, interviewees wouldn’t show, or access to officials would be withdrawn. Alison would always be graceful in the face of such problems, always understanding even though she was under constant time pressure. I remember one memorable ‘challenge’: our jeep full of VIP HRW-supporters breaking down, in the Rwandan mountains, in the rain, with darkness approaching. Somehow we managed to get to a village and organise transport back to Kigali for our VIPs. Any other boss would have been hopping mad. Alison just got the job done, with a wry smile on her face, and gently made fun of me (the hapless driver) the next day. Despite being one of the most famous and respected experts on the Great Lakes, she lacked the ego that most people would develop had they been in her shoes.

Some things that come to mind when I think about Alison – watching her deftly dodge the questioning of a Rwandan security officer in a remote village, all the while somehow getting him to answer a series of her own questions; her enthusiasm about rigorous intellectual inquiry, which frequently led her to talk to students and local researchers for hours at a time (even though her schedule was always packed); her wry sense of humour, which when combined with her incredible memory, made for some hilarious and usually irreverent anecdotes ; and the fact that while in Rwanda she seemed to talk to her husband every evening, no matter how crazy her work life was at that point. She was fiercely committed to her work, but she was clearly just as committed to her family.

I’ll miss Alison on many levels, and for many reasons. She is someone whom it is impossible to forget.

Chris Huggins

ALISON DES FORGES HAS COMMITED HER LIFE FOR THE DEFENCE OF THOSE WHO
HAD NONE ELSE TO CARE OF THEM,TO KNOW WHO THEY ARE,TO HAVE MERCY OF THEM.She had a mission from on high and she achieved it.She has been a mother for all those who found themselves on planet Earth as in the middle of jungle.She has been the first to draw the attention of the wold on the horrible tragedy of the rwandeese genocide at the time where so many kept silence giving an approval to those who were killing children women and old persons. BY her strong stand against killers she refused to be lenient with criminals, by her denonciation of the actual rwandeese regime she has choosen to stand
side by side with those who who would die for truth and justice.
may she rest in the hands of the most high living GOD.

A friend in RWANDA.

Whilst we mourn Alison’s passing, let us also celebrate her life. What a brilliant beautiful woman she was. To her family, what a privilege you had to have her. You never knew me, but I know you. When she visited Arusha she always talked so much about all of you. It is so nice to know that she had such a great family who loved her supported her and laughed with her.

I met her in 2002 when she was giving evidence in the Media Trial. I had the privilidge of leading her evidence in the trial together with my friend Simone.To me she was a friend, a mother, a mentor and role model. I knew her as a woman of great integrity, compassion, courage who empowered and encouraged others. Whenever she came to Arusha she would step into my office and we would spend whatever time she had to spare (she was always so busy) exchanging stories of her children, and her grandchildren with little anecdote of what they were doing and how they were growing. During those times, she always had words of encouragement, and advice for me with my children and any other personal issues I was dealing with. At the same time we would discuss work, the witnesses we were taking their impact on the case, her testimony in court, the situation in Rwanda.

As I reflect on the fact that she has gone too soon and left such a void. I recall that it has been said that what your life really amounts to is not the dates on your tombstone, but the dash in between. For Alison, it is the dash that speaks so much to all of us who knew her worked with her and loved her. That dash was filled with the fight for justice,where she was a tireless and fearless fighter for human rights. A dash where she had a family and raised two wonderful children. I always wondered how it was possible to archieve so much in her proffesion yet have such a perfectly balanced family life.Her life was indeed a testament to hard work, family and good deeds. As Henry Wadsworth says;

“Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us Footprints on the sands of time"

Charity Kagwi Ndungu
Trial Attorney International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda.

I just learned the horrible news about Alison Des Forges. What an awful tragedy, for HRW and for the people of central Africa. I mainly had a telephone relationship with Alison from my years as Africa Editor at NPR. I remember being struck by her intense dedication to the cause of protecting human rights in Rwanda and the region, by her towering intellect, and by what a nice person she was.

Please pass my deepest sympathies on to the rest of the HRW family.

Paul Glickman
News Director
KPCC, KUOR and KPCV
Southern California Public Radio

To the Des Forges Family,

It is with a heavy heart that I extend to you my sympathies. Although I am aware that my words are hopelessly inadequate, please know that my thoughts are with you. Alison's mark on the world will not soon be forgotten.

Sincerely yours,

Robert Vanwey
Graduate Student
Department of History, University at Buffalo

I am deeply shocked and saddened and I want to express my condolences to Alison's family and friends. I've read her, and used her extraordinary work extensively. I met her only a couple of times but I was profoundly impressed by her generosity and her gentleness but also her intelligence and independence of mind. She will stay in the memory of many of us, in the humanitarian community.

Rony Brauman
Médecins Sans Frontières

Que votre âme repose en paix. Mais la pierre que vous aviez apportée pour la paix bâtira un jour l'unité dans la divergence du peuple des grands lacs.

Simao Bokolo

I was at Alison’s engagement at the Royal Commonwealth Society on Wednesday 11th February 2009. Alison was part of a panel debate on contemporary Rwanda with Joel Kibazo, Andrew Mitchell, Patrick Smith and Vincent Gasara. She struck me as at once dispassionate in her analysis yet passionate in her delivery. None of the co-panelists met her argument that Rwandan laws criminalising genocidal ideology are overly broad and indicative of a shrinking political space. I feel privileged to have seen this woman in action. My condolences to you and her family.

Yours,

Lee Solomons
Student, LLM International Human Rights Law
University of Essex

All of us at the Office of Special Investigations join Alison Des Forges’ countless friends, co-workers, and admirers around the world in mourning her loss today. Her death is a tragedy that leaves us in shock. We struggle to find adequate words to convey our grief. It was an enormous privilege for my OSI colleagues and me to meet with Alison and to benefit, time and again, from her vast knowledge and unparalleled insights. She pursued justice on behalf of the victims of genocide with unmatched tenacity, consummate integrity, and legendary passion. The world is surely a lesser and more imperiled place without Alison Des Forges working in it every day, under the aegis of Human Rights Watch, to save this planet from the venomous group hatreds that cause so much suffering. Perhaps it is possible to find some comfort, and even encouragement, at this searingly painful time in the knowledge that her extraordinary life’s work will surely continue to inspire others to toil in service of human rights and human decency.

Please accept the heartfelt condolences of everyone at OSI on the loss of your valued friend and esteemed colleague.

In deepest sympathy,

Eli M. Rosenbaum
Director
Office of Special Investigations
Criminal Division
United States Department of Justice

Chers collègues,

C'est grande émotion que je viens de recevoir la nouvelle de la mort tragique et subite de notre référence de défenseur et militant des droits humains en la personne de la regrettée militante Alison Des Forges.

A mon nom et à celui de toute ma famille, nous présentons les condoléances les plus attristées à la famille de la regrettée en particulier et à celle de HRW en général. Que la terre de nos ancêtres lui soit douce et legérère.

Samuel Bicera BOROTO
Human Rights Defender
MONUC/BENI/RDC

I have worked a lot with Alison during the past twenty years, and we've been through hard and great times together. I'm losing a mother, a sister, a mentor and a friend. I'm too devastated right now to say more. I miss her terribly, and I wish Roger, her children and grandchildren, whom she all loved so much, the courage that I'll need too to deal with this tragic and unexpected loss.

Filip Reyntjens Ph.D.
Professor of Law and Politics
Institute of Development Policy and Management (IOB)
University of Antwerp

I was shocked and deeply sorry when I heard the news while I was in Central African Republic. Alison des Forges was more than an inspiration. I remember with emotion meeting her in New York for the first time few years ago and last year in Burundi. She represented everything I admire in a human rights activist and in a human being. Her dedication to truth, knowledge and rightousness was difficult to match. Her memory will inspire forever all the ones who knew her and the ones who know of her work. The human family has lost one of its most wonderful members.

With sincere affection,

Eduardo Garcia Rolland
IRC Child Protection

I wish to express my deepest condolences to Alison’s family, colleagues, and friends. Alison’s grace, compassion and dedication touched so many. We have all lost a hero.

Laurel Baig
UN International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia

At the last minute, I decided to attend the Royal Commonwealth Society debate about Rwanda on February 11 in London. I am so glad I did. Alison Des Forges had a powerfully sympathetic presence and was the most articulate, knowledgeable and even-handed of all the participants on the subject of whether Rwanda should be admitted to the Commonwealth. I feel honored that I was able to shake her hand afterwards and thank her for her perceptive, quick and witty contributions, to have been among the last group of people to hear from her and sense her profound compassion and respect for human rights.

I am grateful that, as a member of the London Human Rights Watch Committee, I learned of this event, and grateful to Human Rights Watch for giving a platform to this inspired and inspiring individual. My deepest condolences to her family and to the many people who lived with and worked alongside her and knew her well--how lucky you were to have had her in your lives. It was such a shock to hear of her untimely death. Carpe diem. She did.

Laura Mosedale, Human Rights Watch Committee, London

In a world in which death in a wide variety of forms, including plane crashes, makes much of the daily news, there is the serious risk of getting our senses numbed into passivity. The situation changes dramatically when we know the victims personally. News of Alison’s death in a plane crash was not only a personal tragedy for those who knew her, but also sent shock waves to all those who knew her devoted service to human rights and humanitarian causes. My relationship with Alison and her husband, Roger, went back to our days at Yale University. We later reconnected when we participated in numerous meetings over the years. I saw her passionate advocacy in attempts to stop the Rwandan genocide, document it, and address its aftermath. Her devoted service to public causes extended to tireless advocacy for human rights in particular. And she did all this with remarkable objectivity, courage and dignified humility.

Coming from a part of the world where tragedy is commonplace, I have come to see death and life as closely connected. Culturally, our people see immortality through the memory of the dead by the living: relatives, friends and the wide circle of people one has touched in one’s lifetime. By that criterion, Alison will certainly be remembered by large numbers of people. Her memory will also remain a source of inspiration for those who knew her and worked with her. My heartfelt condolences go to her family and her colleagues at Human Rights Watch.

Francis M. Deng

Nous avons appris le décès de votre collaboratrice, Alison Des Forges, dans le crash d’un vol, aux Etats-Unis, le 12 février dernier, et je tenais à m’associer aux très nombreuses voix qui ont exprimé leur peine, pour lui rendre hommage, au nom d’Amnesty International France, vous dire notre tristesse, et partager l’émotion ressentie par ses collègues, ses amis, sa famille et par toutes celles et tous ceux qui ont eu la chance de la connaître ou de croiser un jour son chemin.

Avec nos plus sincères condoléances.

Geneviève Garrigos
Présidente
Amnesty International France

Mr. Kenneth Roth
Executive Director
Human Rights Watch

February 20, 2009

Dear Ken Roth,

The Coalition for the International Criminal Court Secretariat sends our deepest sympathies for the recent passing of Dr. Alison Des Forges and wishes to acknowledge the brave and impactful life she led. Her tragic death is a significant loss for the human rights, peace and justice community worldwide. Alison’s tireless work as an expert on the Rwandan genocide established an incredible legacy that will continue to serve as an example for individual advocates and organizations working toward peace and a more just world. Alison’s contributions to the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and other transnational proceedings were instrumental in prosecuting those responsible for the atrocities that took place in Rwanda. These steps toward ending impunity have paved the way for a more widespread international justice system. Allison’s commitment to securing justice was unyielding, and we share in mourning the loss of a truly remarkable activist.

Warm regards,

William Pace
Convenor
Coalition for the International Criminal Court

Alison and I were high school friends at Niskayuna, where I was a year ahead of her. It was clear already there that she was in a class by herself. Our paths crossed again at Yale, where we would run into each other at the library. Since then, I was able to follow her career, in part thanks to NPR and was filled with admiration for her work. In spite of not having seen her for many years, I am filled with a tremendous sense of loss. I grieve with her family, with all those whose lives she touched, and for those whose lives she will not touch because of her untimely death. She truly embodied St. Teresa of Avila's words, which I am taking the liberty of modifying to emphasize their universality:
God has no body now on earth but yours,
no hands but yours,
no feet but yours,
Yours are the eyes through which looks out
God's compassion to the world
Yours are the feet with which he is to go about
doing good;
Yours are the hands with which he is to bless men now.

Elizabeth Meier Tilton
Boulder, Colorado

It was with great sadness that we have learned about the loss of Alison Des Forges. That she died so suddenly in this tragedy is still unbelievable for all of us.
As a scholar she has contributed with great tenacity, endurance and scientific precision to the fact, that the history and root causes of the genocide in Rwanda could no longer be ignored. Even a long time before the genocide, she was a tireless warner and did not accept any excuses by the international community who pretended not to know about the growing tensions in the country.
Her research has compiled such an abundance of facts and detailed analyses, that courts, research centers and the public will live on them for several generations. With her scientific effort, Alison provided the basis for all our following work on Rwanda and the DR Congo. Indeed, her research is the ground stone for the new historiography on Rwanda.
We were especially impressed and inspired by Alison’s ability to manage conflicts in a determined, diplomatic but still adamant way. For her, the victims of human rights abuses were always in the center of her interest. Herself, she acted as a mentor, as an advocate, a scientist or a witness on a truly reserved, but very efficient way.
Her death opens a gap that will never be filled again, because we, researchers, activ-ists, media, and especially the people in Rwanda and the DR Congo, owe her so much.
Our deep compassion is now for her family and her colleagues at Human Rights Watch,

With respectful regards
Ilona Auer-Frege, Ecumenical Network Central Afrika and the members from
Bread for the World
Misereor
Diakonie Human Rights
Pax Christi
Vereinte Evangelische Mission

J'ai connu Alison en 1993. Elle était la leader de la Commission internationale d'enquête sur les violations des droits humains au Rwanda. J'étais membre de cette Commission d'enquête, délégué par la Fédération internationale des droits de l'homme (FIDH ).
Nous avons vécu ensemble des semaines très intenses, enquêtant sur des massacres et divers abus de droits, excavant des charniers, écoutant pendant des heures des témoins de tueries et divers acteurs sociaux, dans des conditions parfois dangereuses.

J'avais développé un  bon lien  avec Alison, qui m'avait demandé ensuite de participer à une autre mission d'enquête, en 1994, au Burundi, ce que je n'ai pu faire à cause de mes obligations à la direction d'un organisme de droits humains du Québec. Nous étions resté en lien quelques années ensuite. Puis, nous avons perdu le contact, même si je continuais de suivre de loin son action incessante pour documenter le génocide rwandais et en poursuivre les principaux responsables, pour dénoncer les nouvelles violations des droits humains dans la région, d'où qu'elles viennent, cherchant toujours à prévenir de nouvelles violations.

Alison était une femme d'une détermination d'acier, sans parti-pris, sinon pour les droits humains, d'un jugement sûr et nuancé, d'une grande ouverture et d'une grande attention aux autres. J'ai lu des témoignages recueillis auprès de ses voisins à Buffalo, où elle résidait, qui confirment sa grande humanité. Elle était d'une énergie sans relâche, alimentée par sa passion pour la justice et la vérité. Elle avait développé, par ses études et ses séjours dans la région une connaissance profonde de l'histoire et de réalité contemporaine du Rwanda. Elle a mené une action d'une envergure prodigieuse pour les droits humains dans l'Afrique des Grands Lacs.

Je suis tombé par hasard, la veille de la journée où j'ai appris la mort d'Alison, sur une citation Jean Jaurès, dans un article du journal Le Monde. " Le courage... c'est d'aller à l'idéal et de comprendre le réel."
Alison était une femme d'un très grand courage.

Sa mort m'a beaucoup attristé. Je suis aussi vivement conscient de l'immense perte que constitue sa mort pour le mouvement mondial des droits humains, dont elle était un dynamo.

Je me console un peu  en me disant que beaucoup de personnes vont garder, comme moi, un souvenir ému et  inspirant d'Alison Desforges. Et que le feu qui l'habitait va continuer d'alimenter l'action pour les droits humains.

André Paradis
Montréal ( Québec)

From a Statement on the Situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo by the World Council of Churches, Geneva, Switzerland

K. Mourns the death of Dr Alison Des Forges, who died tragically in the 12 February 2009 airplane crash which was attempting a landing at the Buffalo, New York airport. She was one of the leading experts on the human rights violations in the DRC, Rwanda and Burundi. Through her research and twenty years of work at Human Rights Watch, she testified eleven times at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Her work is credited with bringing credibility to the charge of genocide in the region.
L. Prays for Dr Des Forges, her family and friends and especially for the untold millions who have suffered and continue to suffer the ravages of this despicable time in our history.

Posted by David Zarembka, dave@aglionline.org

(Statement submitted for the congressional record)

I was deeply saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Alison Des Forges in the tragic crash of Continental Flight 3407 on February 12. In her passing, we lost not only one of the foremost experts on the state of human rights in Rwanda and Central Africa, but also one of the greatest advocates for human rights in our time. Alison’s tireless appeals for international action to save lives both before and during the 1994 Rwandan genocide are legendary in the human rights and Africa policy communities. Her efforts have been widely reported on since that time and I hope they will continue to inspire future generations. Her personal witness should inspire and challenge us all as we seek an end to ongoing mass atrocities, whether in Darfur, eastern Congo or areas affected by the Lord’s Resistance Army.

Long after the genocide ended, Alison maintained her relentless commitment to pursue the truth and promote human rights. Her authoritative research on the genocide informed the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, national courts across Europe and North America, and even this Congress. She was widely recognized over the years for her objective and balanced analysis of the changing situation in Rwanda and Central Africa. This was not a standard easily achieved or without its sacrifices. Indeed, just last year, Alison was twice refused entry by the Rwandan government, a government that once praised her reporting on the genocide. As a Washington Post editorial recently noted, while the current Rwanda government has made impressive “accomplishments in righting its country and improving basic services… it continues to be intolerant of criticism.” Alison was unwilling to allow that growing intolerance to go unnoticed – even when the result made it more difficult for her to do her job.

Alison was never vindictive, but she was never afraid to speak the truth about growing repression or threats to basic rights when she saw them. In that sense, Alison Des Forges embodied the very best of America’s tradition of supporting human rights, and pressing for meaningful accountability for violations of those rights. She will be greatly missed but we can pay tribute to her by carrying that tradition forward.

Russell D. Feingold
Chairman, Senate Subcommittee on African Affairs
United States Senate

Alison Des Forges represented goodness and truth. Her passing is painful; she will be very sorely missed.

Alexander Naqvi

Selon un proverbe bien connu des Rwandais, « la colline est très raide, on la monte de préférence avec un ami ». Et Alison Desforges, à travers ses écrits essentiels, aura été cet ami pour le peuple rwandais mais également pour un très grand nombre de chercheurs, d’étudiants et de défenseurs des Droits de l’Homme.

C’est donc avec une très vive émotion et une grande tristesse que nous avons appris ce tragique accident dans lequel Alison Desforges a perdu la vie.

En tant qu’ancien -staff de Penal Reform International au Rwanda, nous avons eu l’occasion à plusieurs reprises de collaborer avec Alison Desforges, et outre sa connaissance incomparable de la région, nous avons toujours été frappées par sa modestie et sa gentillesse. Elle restera pour nous, non seulement une référence scientifique mais aussi un véritable modèle d’humanité.

Son héritage est essentiel pour la justice au Rwanda, à laquelle elle aura contribué plus que personne, et son combat pour les Droits de l’Homme dans la région des grands lacs, est une source d’inspiration pour nous tous. Pour tout cela, nous souhaitons lui dire merci.

Nous adressons nos condoléances les plus sincères à sa famille ainsi qu’à tous ses collègues de Human Rights Watch,

Fatima Boulnemour
Maela Begot
Audrey Llopis

My deepest condolences to the family of Alison Des Forges and to her HRW colleagues. Although I only knew Alison by reputation, she was someone whose dedication, strength, intellect and compassion preceded her. She was someone who was in this type of work for the the right reason. She will be missed, but her contribution to the field of human rights, especially for the people of Rwanda, will never be forgotten.

"From God we come, to God we return" (Islamic expression)

Again, my condolences to the family and friends of Alison.

-Shameza Abdulla, UNICEF

You will live forever in our struggles for Humanity
Bernard Edirisinghe & SasaNet Team, Sri Lanka

Imana imuhe iruhuko ridashira.

EU
Buffalo, NY

Swarthmore, Pennsylvania USA
February 22, 2009

To Alison's Family:

Although it has been 18 years since I have seen Alison, I certainly remember her fondly and count myself among those who were blessed to know her. I am "la jeune stagiaire afro-americaine" to which Monique Mujawamariga refers in her moving tribute. Alison and I spent over 2 weeks together interviewing Rwandan refugees in Brussels and investigating the general state of human rights in Rwanda in 1991 while I was a research fellow at Human Rights Watch. We were scheduled to visit Burundi, as well, but the situation had gotten too dangerous there.

Prior to the trip, I went to visit Alison at her home in Buffalo to prepare for the trip. I remember that she took me to see Niagara Falls on the Canadian side because, she said, that side was prettier. She and Roger were the perfect dinner hosts. I remember helping myself to a wonderful salad that was on the table, not being familiar with the custom of eating the salad last. Without being the least bit disapproving or critical, they explained the custom (I asked why they were not partaking) and we continued to converse with an ease and familiarity that surprised me.

I got the jolting news while there that my grandmother had passed away. Alison went on a long walk with me. I do not remember her saying anything particularly. What I do remember is that she listened well and that her presence was very comforting and consoling. I found her to be a very easy person to be with.

Our time together in Rwanda was very intense, to say the least. Alison was always kind and encouraging to me. She was a wonderful teacher. I can't imagine there being a better person I could have gone with on this trip.

It was an honor and a privilege to work with and know Alison. I extend my deepest sympathies to her family and join the many others in saying that I am very sorry for your loss.

Sincerely,
Nicola Tollett Jefferson

I believe in kitchen-table democracy. I believe in small “d” democracy. The kind where parents sit around the table and argue with eachother about which candidate they should vote for, the kind when mothers gripe together about the schools not being good enough and plott to start new ones, or they talk to their kids about the constitution and what it means. I believe in small “d” democratic institutions: PTA’s, school boards, neighborhood associations, and the League of Women Voters. I belive in the kind of democracy you can take out on the street, the kind that gets you talking to your neighbors up and down the block and strangers across town too, the kind that gets kids excited and involved enough to get into the voting booth with you and learn to pull the lever.
Last night I attended the last PTA meeting of the year at my daughter’s elementary school, the Albany School of Humanities, located on Whitehall Road in Albany New York. At that meeting, I spoke on the need to allow the child acting as master of ceremonies at the end of year variety show .to say, “Them was good,” without having her grammar “corrected” by the adults coordinating the program. Another parent at the PTA, felt that such ungrammatical speech was a poor reflection on the child, the school, and the PTA, which sponsored the program. Certainly, I argued, there is a place for proper, grammatical, speech, but so too is there a need to create a place for speech that reflects ethnic background, the popular culture, the culture of youth, and creative use of language, especially in a school community that is diverse, with children from over a dozen countries. Discussion ensued for some time, and ultimately, there was general agreement that children need to learn both, and to distinguish when to use each kind of speech to best effect.

Walking home from the meeting, hanging onto my two-year-old son, with my husband, carrying our five year-old daughter, soon to be Kindergarten graduate, on his shoulders. I felt like a true member of a community, with valuable democratic institutions. The PTA is not democracy with a big “D”, but with a small “d”, the kind I’d learned about as a teenager from parents who took the time to involve me and my peers in public meetings on educational issues that affected us. One woman, Alison Desforges, who has since gone on to receive a McArthur genius award for her work with Africa Watch, stands out in my mind. Her high-profile efforts at the UN, have been recognized, but perhaps she should also know about the impact she had on those of us she taught the lessons of democracy with a little “d.”

Alison DesForges, helped me and a group of my peers, when we were just high-school freshmen, to attend a public hearing on an effort to ban several books from the Buffalo School district library. I don’t remember the details of the objections to the book. They don’t matter now. What matters is that she initiated us into the realm of public participation in decision-making. She led us, with the U.S. Constitution as a backdrop, into the practical realm where decisions are made. She facilitated an opportunity for us to speak in public, be heard in our own communities, and then beyond when our speeches were published in the Humanist, Magazine. While we may not have influenced the outcome of the meeting, she gave us our first glimpse at the inner workings of decision-making institutions at the community level, where decisions are made that impact our daily lives, and the lives of our children. She showed us that to care is to be involved. This was a critical right of passage for me. As a parent now, taking my five-year-old daughter to public meetings, and into the voting booth with me, I realize the significance of being involved from childhood in democratic decision making. She laid the foundation for me to find a voice, the courage to speak, and the practical know how of getting involved.

Until the meeting last night, I hadn’t reflected much on where I’d learned to speak out and express my opinions at a public meeting. I became even more grateful to Alison Des Forges kitchen table, a neighborhood meeting place, a small “d” democratic institution, where I learned about little “d” democracy. We must each, when it is out turn, take it out into the world, but I beliveve –- as Alison showed me-- that democracy begins at home.

I am a rwandan living in the United States and I was able to know Allison because of her work on Rwandan justice. I left Rwanda more than ten years ago and whenever I needed to read about Rwanda, Allison would be mentioned in almost every article I read online or in any written news source. I have seen people who disagreed with her on Rwandan issues and I always knew that her side of story was objective. I don't need anyone to teach me the history of Rwanda and particulary the Rwandan Genocide because I lived through it. Allison had every reason to seek justice for the survivors of genocide, she warned the world before it exploded. However, unique as she was from many other "so-called experts on Rwandan genocide", she did not just stop there to defend one side of the story. Instead, she denounced the crimes committed by the praised heros, leaders of the actual Rwandan Government against Hutus (portrayed as bad guys in the Genocide). She is my hero! I HOPE ONE DAY I WILL BE COURAGEOUS ENOUGH TO FIGHT FOR OTHERS. She stood for what she believed was right regardless of how she might look in the eyes of of some people. We will miss her and I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THE HRW WILL NOT LET HER DOWN BY NOT COMPLETING HER UNFINISHED BUSINESS IN THE AFRICA'S GREAT LAKES REGION.

Anonimous Rwandan in the US

Over the years, Alison had become the person I would turn to for help when I couldn’t find the right words to translate reports of the Africa division. With her, it seemed easier. Whenever I had hesitations, Alison was there for me, making suggestions, encouraging me. Whenever I had questions, she always took the time to email back, to call back, to explain things with patience, conviction, simplicity, and so much humanity.

Alison is gone and today words don’t seem to come out so easily any more. Alison is gone but I will treasure forever everything I learnt with her.

Françoise Denayer

Staffs of Human Rights Watch,

On behalf of my fellow Rwandans and personally, we really join the World in mourning Dr Alison’s death which is a big loss to the world and most especially Rwandans who benefited her good deeds without basing on either tribalism or different political groups
Many Rwandans and Diplomats working in Rwanda and Great lakes region came to know Dr Alison as a Brave human rights defender in 1990s when she started decampaining human rights abuses which was being carried out to Tutsis by the former President Habyarimanas regime and she was the first person to expose the genocide actions which was taking place in Rwanda when the world was quite and reluctant
Dr Alison was the first foreigner who went to witness the genocide abuses carried out by politicians in former regime in Arusha ICTR and some Rwandans get shocked when she along the side turned and pointed the finger to the Government which stopped Genocide of also committing war crimes and calling for justice , such blave actions are not found
I Personally am witness of Dr Alison’s good Deeds of Defending human Rights action when i benefited from her advise as how i could handle my self in end 2006 when i had threats in my life as a journalist and later on intervened when my fellow Brothers in current Government tried to assassinate me in Feb 2007, and stayed in coma for 4days after being beaten using iron bars and am now currently in South Africa for treatment on the related incidence of Feb. 9 2007 , she both sent her researcher by time called chris hugins to both try to protect me and raise some financial assistance for treatment from some US Human rights Defenders
I happened to know that sad news when i was on transit from Entebbe to southafrica after getting a lot of calls from my brothers and sisters who benefited from Dr Alison’s good human Rights action , Rwandan both home and Diaspora are Joining world, HRW and her family of mourning her death , In such Solow days words are limited most especially when you lose such a friend of high integrity who always called for Justice , end of Human Rights Abuses and in her last days she denounced solitary confinement in Rwanda prisons
We will never forget Mother Dr Alison Des Forges love to most especially Rwandans, we will always remember her as a hero of human Rights Defender and may Lord rest her soul in entire Peace of Heaven
On behalf of Rwandans who benefited from Dr Alison des forges fruits of defending Human Rights
Gasasira J Bosco
Editor in chief
Umuvugizi Newspaper
Rwanda

I never had the chance to meet Alison Des Forges, and still, the news of her death shocked me terribly and felt me with huge sadness. Because her voice, and the intelligence that transpired from every piece of her work; books, reports, testimonies in documentary films, and so on, touched me so deeply. I am proud to know that people like her exist, people that never give up fighting for a vision, for a more peaceful humanity, a better understanding of conflict, and for hope.
This is a terrible loss. I hope her example will survive forever, being an inspiration to anyone fighting for knowledge, peace and justice.

C. Huynh

Nous avons appris le décès de votre collaboratrice, Alison Des Forges, dans le crash d’un vol, aux Etats-Unis, le 12 février dernier, et je tenais à m’associer aux très nombreuses voix qui ont exprimé leur peine, pour lui rendre hommage, au nom d’Amnesty International France, vous dire notre tristesse, et partager l’émotion ressentie par ses collègues, ses amis, sa famille et par toutes celles et tous ceux qui ont eu la chance de la connaître ou de croiser un jour son chemin.

Avec nos plus sincères condoléances.

Geneviève Garrigos
Présidente
Amnesty International France

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

On behalf of myself and the Horn of Africa team at Amnesty International, I write to express our sympathy for your loss. We are all deeply saddened by the passing of Alison des Forges. Many of us have had the great pleasure of working with Alison over the years. We will miss her expertise, as well as her kindness, compassion and sense of humor. But we also know that her important work will most certainly live on, in Rwanda, throughout the Great Lakes region and far beyond.

Sincerely, Lynn

Lynn Fredriksson
Researcher - Horn of Africa
International Secretariat
Amnesty International

A Light in the Darkness for Rwanda - A Tribute to Alison Des Forges
from Paul Rusesabagina of the Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation

At the time when things were darkest for my beloved Rwanda, Alison Des Forges was a light in that darkness. During the genocide, I believed that the entire world had abandoned us to evil. We waited in vain for the U.N. Peacekeepers and for the U.S. to intervene. No one was able to tell the world to make the madness stop. But Alison Des Forges tried.

In the years following the Genocide, Alison Des Forges was one of the few who had the courage to speak out about the human rights violations, war crimes and crimes against humanity that have continued in Rwanda and the Great Lakes Region of Africa. She was undeterred when the Rwanda government denied her entry in to Rwanda. She understood that the truth is stronger than any bully.

The courage that Alison showed was remarkable and unique. The world needs more Alisons and can sorely afford to lose this one.

My gratitude for her work is matched only by my sorrow at her passing. There is still much work to be done. We must all pick up her mantle and carry on in the name of peace and human rights for all. I will try to do my share in her memory.

She loved Rwanda and its people so much that she devoted her whole life’s work to them. She would have been immensely gratified one day to see peace and justice flow on Rwandan soil. Alison, up in heaven where you are, we want you to know that we love you back.

With deepest sympathy,
Paul Rusesabagina
Founder and President, Hotel Rwanda Rusesabagina Foundation
www.hrrfoundation.org

Thank you for inspiring us in many ways. we will miss you.

Avec la disparition inopinée d'Alison, les Grands Lacs viennent de perdre une femme extraordinaire, profondément dévouée à la cause des droits de l'homme dans cette région tant meurtrie par la violence, la souffrance et la misère.

J'ai eu l'honneur et la chance d'être le témoin de son humanité, son intégrité, son courage et sa détermination. Elle fut et elle reste un modèle et une source d'inspiration pour beaucoup d'activistes des droits de l'homme du Congo, du Rwanda et du Burundi. Avec la simplicité et l'humilité qui la caractérisaient, Alison m'aurait certainement reproché de parler d'elle en ces termes élogieux, mais je ne peux m'empêcher aujourd'hui de dire ce que je pense sincèrement.

Le meilleur hommage que l'on pourrait lui rendre est sans nul doute de poursuivre voire de renforcer le combat permanent pour la défense et la promotion des droits de l'homme dans les Grands Lacs et ailleurs dans le monde.

Mes dernières pensées vont à sa famille. Alison aimait sa famille et essayait de lui consacrer plus de temps bien que, connaissant la situation des droits de l'homme dans la région des Grands Lacs et son degré d'engagement, cela devait être parfois bien difficile. La famille d'Alison peut être fière de cette grande dame qui s'est tant donnée pour toutes les victimes d'abus et de violations des droits de la personne dans les Grands Lacs.

A titre personnel, je suis heureux d'avoir croisé sa route sur le terrain des droits de l'homme et je lui serai toujours reconnaissant de m'avoir fait partager son expérience et sa sagesse.

Eugène NINDORERA.