Patterns of Genocide: Rwanda 1994, Iran 2026

I was listening to a podcast about the Genocide in Rwanda. It was horrific. For some, it might be difficult to understand how this could happen in today’s world, a world we consider more "mature" and "open-minded." You might ask: How can people kill their own—men, women, and even children—in cold blood? Where was the world when it all happened?

As an Iranian, unfortunately, I can relate to that. The regime in Iran massacred over 40,000 innocent people in just four days, and the terrifying part is that it happened in 2026. In reality, this has been their method since they took power; they have held us hostage for 50 years or we can say "HALF A CENTURY". Throughout these years, the world remained silent. We fought with empty hands, we tried every civil way to gain our basic human rights, but the only answer we got was bullets, torture and executions. We shouted for help every single time, but no one cared. Where were your voices when 40,000 of us were slaughtered? Now, because familiar names like Israel and America are involved, have you suddenly found your voice?

I despise selective activism. If you want to take a stand, do it correctly. When Rwanda was struggling with genocide, many said it wasn’t their concern and stayed silent. I bet many don’t even know where Rwanda is on a map. While there are many differences between these two countries, the common thread is the struggle against demons. Rwanda was struggling; Iran is struggling. And in both cases, the world’s silence is deafening.  

As a Data Analysis student, I am taught to look for patterns. We are trained to find trends in numbers and uncover the truth hidden behind spreadsheets. But sometimes, the patterns we find in history are so chilling that no amount of data visualization can soften the blow.

The history of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide is a haunting reminder of what happens when a society is systematically divided. The pattern is always the same:

1. Dehumanization: Labeling people as "enemies" or "pests" to make violence feel justifiable.

2. Information Blackout: Controlling the narrative and silencing the truth.

Looking at what happened in Iran, my country, at the beginning of 2026, the parallels are impossible to ignore. When the internet is cut off(especially during a war when communication is a matter of survival) it is not just a technical glitch; it is a "data blackout" designed to hide human suffering. When peaceful protesters are labeled "enemies of the state," it is the same old script of dehumanization we saw in Rwanda.

In Rwanda, they used the radio to spread hate. In Iran, they use digital isolation to hide the cost of repression.  

Why does this matter to me?

Because data without ethics is dangerous. Every "entry" in a database of conflict represents a human life, a family and a story silenced. We must use our voices and our tools whether it’s a blog, a line of code, or a social media post, to ensure these patterns don't go unnoticed. The world watched Rwanda in silence. We cannot afford to do the same for Iran.

Never forget that silence is not neutrality; it is complicity. While you have the luxury of choice, we only have the duty to fight. Being their voice is the least we can do, yet it is what the oppressors fear most.