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Rwanda remembers Genocide victims

Xinhua, April 7, 2015 Adjust font size:

Rwandans on Tuesday marked the 21st anniversary of the 1994 Genocide that claimed more than million lives, both the majority ethnic Tutsis and minority Hutus.

The memorial observance involves several activities: visiting and laying wreaths at memorial sites, according decent burial to exhumed Genocide remains, giving testimonies, public lectures, and candle lighting vigils.

The activities officially last a week, but the commemoration continues up to July 4, marking 100 days of Genocide.

This year's memorial, held under the theme "Remember-Educate- Protect", will focus more on engaging the national and the international community about the issue of genocide denial and revisionism.

Speaking to Xinhua on Monday, Julienne Uwacu, Rwanda Minister of sports and culture said that this year's memorial celebrations will be held at the village level where people converge to discuss healing process, unity and reconciliation among Rwandans.

Uwacu noted that genocide denial is a still a major challenge at home and abroad and Rwandans should ensure that they engage these deniers who continue to produce false and biased reports about the 1994 Genocide, so that the truth prevails.

The genocide was sparked when a plane carrying the ex-Rwandan president, Juvenal Habyarimana who was a Hutu, was shot down on April 6, 1994, killing all on board. Rwandan Hutus blamed ethnic Tutsis for the attack and sought immediate revenge.

Hutu extremists used machetes, clubs, blunt objects and other deadly weapons to rape, maim and kill their Tutsi neighbours. The violence lasted for 100 days.

Jean Damascene Bizimana, executive secretary of the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide (CNLG), said that commemoration activities will give everyone an opportunity to participate and support to genocide survivors in need through counselling and financial support.

"We should use the moment to learn about the genocide and strongly focus on preventing its occurrence. Our country's dark days are over; we are in the light now," he noted.

Bizimana stated that the lives of survivors have improved and they have good expectations for change, even though there are still challenges to be addressed.

According to the Fund for Genocide Survivors (FARG), 43,000 houses has been built or reconstructed for survivors, 9,000 students have finished university studies supported by the Genocide Survivors Support Fund (FARG) while 18,000 other are still studying.

Rwanda has also issued 156 indictments and international arrest warrants to 27 countries; both in Africa, Europe and North America, but very few suspects have been apprehended or tried. Endi