Roméo Dallaire, LGen (Ret.), Senator (Ret.) Closed Now

Lieutenant-General (Ret.) Roméo Dallaire (born 1946) is a Canadian humanitarian, retired senator, and former military commander best known for leading the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) during the 1994 genocide. His leadership and moral courage in the face of overwhelming violence have made him one of the most respected voices in global discussions on genocide prevention, transitional justice, and the protection of vulnerable populations in conflict.

As Force Commander of UNAMIR, Dallaire witnessed firsthand the atrocities of the Rwandan genocide, where an estimated 800,000 people were killed in 100 days. Despite inadequate resources and limited international support, he worked tirelessly to protect civilians, saving thousands of lives. His experience, recounted in his memoir Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda (2003), became a pivotal text in understanding the international community’s failures in responding to mass atrocities and the urgent need for stronger mechanisms of accountability and prevention.

Following his military career, Dallaire turned to advocacy, research, and education. He became a Canadian Senator (2005–2014), where he championed human rights, veterans’ care, and the prevention of mass atrocities. He also founded the Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative, dedicated to ending the recruitment and use of child soldiers worldwide, blending research, training, and advocacy in transitional justice contexts.

Dallaire has worked closely with the United Nations, the International Criminal Court (ICC), and governments on policies to strengthen early warning systems and accountability frameworks. His contributions emphasize that transitional justice must include not only mechanisms of accountability but also prevention, protection, and reconciliation.

As an author and lecturer, he continues to influence global policy on peacekeeping and justice. His works, including They Fight Like Soldiers, They Die Like Children (2010), advocate for the dignity of children and survivors in post-conflict societies.

Roméo Dallaire’s life and career exemplify a profound commitment to humanitarian values, ensuring that the lessons of Rwanda continue to shape transitional justice and international responses to mass violence.