Lieutenant-General (Ret.) Roméo Dallaire
Roméo Antonius Dallaire (born June 25, 1946, in Denekamp, Netherlands) is a retired Canadian senator, lieutenant-general, and renowned humanitarian. He is best known for his role as Force Commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR) during the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Despite limited resources and support, Dallaire and his team managed to save thousands of lives amidst the atrocities.
After retiring from the military in 2000 due to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stemming from his experiences in Rwanda, Dallaire became an outspoken advocate for veterans' mental health and the prevention of mass atrocities. He authored several books, including the award-winning Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda, which was adapted into both a documentary and a feature film.
In 2005, Dallaire was appointed to the Canadian Senate, where he served until 2014. He founded the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace, and Security, aiming to end the recruitment and use of child soldiers worldwide.
Dallaire's numerous honors include being an Officer of the Order of Canada, a Grand Officer of the National Order of Quebec, and a recipient of the Pearson Peace Medal.
His unwavering commitment to human rights and mental health continues to inspire and effect change globally.
