More than 1,000 people including the Rwandan community living in Kenya, Kenyan government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of UN agencies, and friends of Rwanda, gathered at the United Nations Office in Nairobi to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
During the event on Tuesday, April 9, the High Commissioner of Rwanda in Kenya noted that although this year Rwanda is commemorating 30 years after a horrific chapter of its history, the country is also celebrating 30 years of unity and resilience, and a whole new generation of Rwandans aspiring for a future free of hatred and division.
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The high commissioner also stated that the Genocide commemoration should serve as a powerful reminder to confront hatred, discrimination, and division wherever it may arise.
"Genocide is not an isolated event but a consequence of a society that has allowed prejudice and intolerance to take root. We must ensure that the lessons of the past are never forgotten. We must strive to create a world where diversity is celebrated, where differences are respected, and where all individuals can live free from fear and discrimination,” he noted.
Additionally, he said commemorating the Genocide should go hand in hand with collectively fighting genocide denial and bringing to book genocide perpetrators.
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"Genocide deniers, including a number of academics, continue to perpetuate negationism by conveniently ignoring the judgements of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. Negationism can in no way be accepted as a tolerable opinion or a legitimate right. Genocide denial is a crime, and therefore must be fought by all means,” he underscored.
He added: "Perpetrators and deniers of the Genocide against the Tutsi continue to move freely in many parts of the world, spreading hate ideology and misinformation on the facts surrounding the Genocide against the Tutsi. This commemoration is, therefore, a collective plea to members of the international community to ensure the arrest of Genocide perpetrators and deny platforms to the deniers of the Genocide against the Tutsi.”
Kenya commends Rwanda’s rebirth, progress
Representing the Government of Kenya at the Kwibuka event in Nairobi, Korir SingOei, the Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, said that Kenya stands in solidarity with Rwanda and her people, commending how the country was able to rebuild after the darkest chapter of its history.
"We are inspired by Rwanda’s determination to forge ahead with an unwavering resolve. Present-day Rwanda serves as a distinct mirror of progress, a nation founded on a united vision for the future anchored in economic and structural reforms,” he said.
He added: "We stand in respect and admiration of the survivors who despite their circumstances have worked tirelessly to rebuild Rwanda as we know it today. Their resolve, resilience, strength, courage, and fortitude are an inspiration to humanity."
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SingOei also noted that the Genocide against the Tutsi serves as a reminder to protect the inherent human rights to life and dignity.
"The commemoration of the Genocide against the Tutsi enflames a deep sense of poignancy on one hand, while at the same time reinforces the importance of upholding the collective duty as the international community to never allow the ugliness of intolerance to rear its head anywhere globally,” he said.
He added: "We must never forget that the Genocide against the Tutsi happened partly because the international community could not master the resolve to act in a preventative fashion to halt an imminent atrocity.”